It is quite pathetic that Nigeria’s democracy is increasingly coming under siege. The Rivers State crisis, and indeed the things happening in many other parts of the country are clear indications.
Democracy is gradually being replaced by political imposition and power control by a few individuals.
What a shame that a country of over 200 million people is being treated like the personal property of a handful of politicians and their cronies.
The situation in Rivers State easily comes to mind, where one powerful political figure, Mr. Nyesom Wike, is widely seen as controlling not only his political party but also influencing the structure of other political parties in the state.
From the governor to members of the State House of Assembly and even local government officials, many believe that one man determines who gets what position. Is that democracy or political imposition? This is clearly imposition and not democratic practice.
How can one individual, with the backing of some powerful forces in the corridors of power, dominate an entire state political structure and reduce the voices of the people to nothing?
The sad reality is that many of these politicians do not care about the future of Nigeria. Their major interest is grabbing power at all costs and looting the national treasury for themselves, their families, and their associates.
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Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer from poor infrastructure, rising unemployment, insecurity, banditry, and increasing school dropout rates among children. These challenges continue to destroy the future of millions, yet many politicians remain focused only on political control and personal enrichment. What a shame.
Ironically, many of these leaders enjoyed free and affordable education during their own time, from primary school to university level. Today, they have created a system where quality education is becoming unaffordable for the common man, while their own children study comfortably abroad and later return to occupy the best opportunities in the country. This level of inequality and selfishness is deeply troubling.
The major issue facing Nigeria today is power grab over democracy, and this has continued to deepen the political crisis across the country. It is a mere statement of the obvious that many politicians see politics as a game where the masses do not matter. For them, it is about controlling power, suppressing opposition, and protecting their interests.
The Rivers State crisis is indeed a source of concern but political imposition is not limited to the state; it exists in many parts of Nigeria. However, the Rivers situation appears more visible because of the open and aggressive nature of the political control involved. Nonetheless, one important truth remains: no state belongs to one man. Rivers State belongs to all its people, just as Nigeria belongs to every Nigerian.
We cannot continue to sit quietly and watch a few individuals destroy democratic values and turn the country into their personal empire. What is even more painful is the silence of many citizens, either out of fear or hopelessness. Democracy cannot survive where the people refuse to speak.
Nigerians must wake up and actively participate in the democratic process. Citizens must resist political intimidation, reject imposition, and defend the power of the people’s vote. This is the only country we have, and we must not allow a few political actors to destroy it for selfish interests.
Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, not to a handful of politicians and their cronies. The people must rise, speak out, and work together to rescue the country from political oppression, manipulation, and abuse of power.
