“Democracy dies when citizens choose to be silent spectators to injustice.”
Those words, drawn from Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili’s recent memo to the Nigerian Senate, judiciary, and fellow citizens, are not mere rhetoric. They are a warning that Nigeria’s democratic project is now standing on shaky ground.
For six months, the people of Kogi Central have been denied their voice in the Senate following the unconstitutional suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. What began as a petition of sexual harassment against the Senate President has been converted into a tool of political vendetta, exposing once again how the powerful can bend laws to suit their convenience.
In the political arena, the adage "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" is often wielded as a shield against potential adversaries. However, for President Bola Tinubu, it seems the true enemies may not be those openly opposing him, but rather those who remain silent in the face of critical issues.
The ongoing Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) strike present a crucial litmus test, revealing the concealed adversaries that surround the Nigerian President.
