NDC Chairman Dickson warns Tinubu: civilian rule like military dictatorship
NDC Chairman Seriake Dickson warned President Bola Tinubu that undermining democratic institutions makes a civilian ruler no different from a military dictator. Speaking at the Diplomatic Digest 6th Anniversary Lecture, whose statement was shared on the NDC's official social media page on Friday, Dickson said democracy is a marathon requiring commitment to the rule of law, an independent judiciary, a free press and an electoral body that enjoys public trust. He warned that without these essentials there is little difference between a civilian dictator and a military dictator.
He noted that democratic values are under pressure across Africa, especially within ECOWAS, and blamed the APC government's dysfunctional foreign policy for weakening the regional bloc. He pointed to the emergence of breakaway groups like the Alliance of Sahel States as evidence of weakened Nigerian leadership. Dickson urged Tinubu to ensure state institutions are not used for partisan interests, warning that a government seen as oppressive or above the constitution inevitably loses public confidence.
For Nigerians, the warning highlights risks to civil liberties, governance quality and Nigeria's role in West Africa if democratic safeguards erode. Citizens should monitor how independent institutions - courts, press, electoral commission - are treated, support efforts that protect constitutional order, and consider these factors when evaluating leadership ahead of the 2027 elections. Staying informed and demanding accountability helps preserve the democratic gains the country has fought for.