From Bastion To Betrayal: Tinubu, Free Speech, And Nigeria’s Democratic Reversal

Dr Umar Osabo

Once a symbol of resistance during Nigeria’s darkest days, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu now presides over a government accused of silencing dissent. From journalists to union leaders, the clampdown on free speech raises urgent questions about the fate of democracy in Africa’s largest nation.

 From NADECO Hero to Democratic Enforcer

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s journey from a NADECO stalwart to Nigeria’s president is both storied and symbolic. As a vocal opponent of General Sani Abacha’s dictatorship in the 1990s, Tinubu gained national reverence as a champion of civil liberties. His exile years, advocacy for the June 12 mandate, and eventual rise as Lagos State governor cemented his democratic legacy.

But today, that legacy is under siege—by Tinubu himself.

Since assuming office in 2023, his administration has overseen a disturbing wave of arrests targeting activists, journalists, and peaceful protesters. Critics are beginning to ask: Has the democracy Tinubu once fought for become the one he now represses?

 Democracy on the Brink

The promise of Nigerian democracy has always hinged on a delicate balance between power and accountability. Elections alone do not make a democracy; freedom of expression, rule of law, and civil liberties complete the picture.

Yet under Tinubu’s watch, peaceful protest is met with police batons, and investigative journalism with midnight arrests. Dissenters are labeled enemies of the state, rather than engaged as participants in public discourse.

This raises serious concerns: Is Nigeria sliding back to authoritarianism under a democratic guise?

 Why Is the Government Afraid of Criticism?

Analysts point to multiple reasons behind the administration’s posture.

 First , President Tinubu’s 2023 election win was marred by legal challenges and credibility concerns. That has likely created a fear of political instability.

 Second , unpopular economic decisions—such as subsidy removal and currency floatation—have led to soaring inflation and public unrest. The administration, rather than addressing grievances, appears to be silencing the messengers.

 Lastly , the desire to protect an enduring political legacy may be driving an overreaction to dissent. The irony, however, is that this hypersensitivity is dismantling the very democratic ideals Tinubu once embodied.

 The Arrests That Speak Volumes

 Recent cases of repression include:

 Joe Ajaero , President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, arrested in Imo State while mobilizing workers over economic hardship.

 Olamide Thomas , a nurse arrested for criticizing Tinubu and the IGP on Facebook, charged under the controversial Cybercrime Act.

 Henry Nwodo , a Take It Back activist, arrested ahead of an anti-police brutality protest.

 Dele Farotimi , a prominent lawyer, detained for publishing a book critical of government policies.

Journalists have fared no better:

 Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism was abducted and detained without charge.

 Segun Olatunji , editor of FirstNews, was taken from his home and held incommunicado.

Reporters from Informant247, The Whistler, Daybreak, and The Sun have also been arrested or assaulted in the line of duty.

Perhaps most alarming is the arrest of 76 peaceful protesters, including 30 minors , during an anti-government rally in August 2024. Many remain in custody, charged with offenses ranging from incitement to treason.

 The Hypocrisy of Power

The contradiction is glaring. A man who once championed street protests now criminalizes them. A president who fought for press freedom now jails journalists. It is a betrayal not just of ideals but of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

Observers note that the very tactics Tinubu once condemned are being employed under his leadership—with disturbing efficiency.

 Press Freedom Under Siege

International watchdogs such as Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House have downgraded Nigeria’s media freedom index. The use of security agencies to suppress reporting and the exploitation of vague cybercrime laws reflect a trend of digital authoritarianism.

Journalism, which should inform governance, is now being treated as subversion.

 Nigeria Through Global Eyes

Globally, Nigeria is seen as a democratic bellwether in West Africa. But the current administration’s actions threaten that reputation.

The African Union Charter on Democracy, to which Nigeria is a signatory, demands the protection of human rights and civil liberties. Continued repression could isolate Nigeria diplomatically and undermine its moral leadership on the continent.

 Is Free Speech Dead in Nigeria?

While not yet uprooted, the tree of free expression is under attack. The media, civil society, and opposition are operating under a cloud of fear. The constitutionally guaranteed right to speak freely is increasingly hollowed out by intimidation and legal persecution.

A democracy that cannot tolerate dissent is one step away from despotism.

 What Must Be Done

To salvage Nigeria’s democratic experiment, urgent steps are needed:

Repeal or amend laws—like the Cybercrime Act—that are used to criminalize free speech.

Ensure judicial oversight and due process in all arrests.

Stop the abuse of security agencies as political tools.

Reinforce protections for journalists and whistleblowers.

Foster a political culture where criticism is viewed as a patriotic duty—not a criminal offense.

 A Call to President Tinubu

Mr. President, history watches closely. The democratic freedom you once demanded must now be protected—not extinguished—under your leadership.

You fought tyranny. Do not now become the tyranny you resisted. To silence criticism is not to build a legacy; it is to bury one.

Let Nigeria breathe again. Let her speak again. For if democracy dies in silence, the burden of that silence will be yours to bear.

Dr Umar Osabo is a critical thinker, creative writer with many published works, economic and political analyst and international scholar. He can be reached on umarmosabo@gmail.com