How Nigeria Is Sliding Back Into Civilian Dictatorship under Tinubu-Dele Momodu

Former presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has expressed concern over the current state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the country is sliding back into what he described as civilian dictatorship.

The PDP chieftain, who spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, lamented the erosion of democratic values, especially in the lead-up to this year’s Democracy Day.

“I’m very happy that today coincides with the lead-up to June 12 (Democracy Day), so that if we still have any iota of conscience left, we’ll realise we have damaged this democracy,” he said.

“The summary of it all is that on the eve of June 12, Nigeria is virtually back to civilian dictators who don’t care how you feel or what you think. Nigerians are hungry.

“We’ve damaged this democracy, and I hope we’ve not damaged it beyond repair because the audacity, the effrontery of this set of politicians—whether in the executive, legislature, or local government—is totally unbelievable.”

Late Moshood Abiola, acclaimed winner of the 1993 June 12 presidential election.

He added that those who fought and died for democracy, particularly during the June 12 struggle, would be heartbroken if they could witness the current state of the nation.

“All those who suffered for this democracy—especially those who are now in heaven—if they can see us, they would be crying,” Momodu said.

‘Wike Acting As Nigeria’s Founding Father’

On the internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Momodu criticised the influence of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),

The PDP chieftain accused him of hijacking party decisions, destabilising internal structures, and further questioned Wike’s democratic credentials.

“It sounds ridiculous that one man, who should be busy in Abuja, is dictating where the PDP presidential ticket should go in 2027. What Wike is doing is a rehash of what he did in Rivers State—and he is clearly doing so with the backing of those at the top,” he said.

“Where was Wike during the June 12 struggle? Who knew him then? But today, he speaks as if he’s the founding father of Nigeria.”

Momodu also criticised the recent state of emergency declared in Rivers State, suggesting it was triggered by Wike’s refusal to let go of control.

“A major crisis of monumental dimension was orchestrated and aggravated by one man. Just because he wouldn’t go away quietly, a state of emergency had to be declared. It’s unprecedented in Nigeria’s history,” he noted.

He accused Wike of staging a “coup” against the PDP by using coercion and political manoeuvring to impose his will.

“What he’s doing now is tantamount to staging a coup against the party that made him everything he is today. He does not have the moral right to dictate the direction of the PDP,” the publisher stated.

Faults Tinubu’s ‘BusyBodies’ Comment

Reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s comments during Tuesday’s inauguration of the refurbished Abuja International Conference Centre—now named after the president—Momodu said the president’s remarks revealed a disturbing trend.

He said, “I listened to the President refer to concerned Nigerians as ‘busybodies’ and ‘bystanders.’ Who is a bystander in his own country? All because of one man—Wike.”

” Wike was dancing after commissioning a centre said to have cost over ₦30 billion. Right now, it feels like we have two presidents in Nigeria,” Momodu stated.

Despite the party’s troubles, Momodu dismissed the idea of joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), even as many governors under the PDP have defected to the ruling party.

“If I wanted to join the APC, I wouldn’t be speaking to you like this. I’d be giving excuses, like the rest. But my soul is out of PDP—I cannot sit in a room where one man dictates to adults who have served Nigeria all their lives,” he said.

Momodu warned that unless Nigeria reforms its political culture and restores democratic values, the country risks sinking into autocracy.

“PDP is part of its own problem, no doubt. But people like Wike, doing what they do with impunity, are taking us dangerously backwards.”