Prominent journalist and two-time presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, has expressed deep concern over what he describes as the erosion of democratic values in Nigeria, warning that the country is slipping into a form of civilian dictatorship.
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Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Momodu, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Nigeria’s democracy is under serious threat—particularly as the country prepares to mark Democracy Day on June 12.
“I’m glad this conversation is happening just before June 12,” Momodu stated. “If we still have any shred of conscience, we’ll acknowledge that we’ve damaged this democracy. Nigeria is now in the grip of civilian dictators—leaders who have no regard for how the people feel or what they think. Nigerians are hungry, and they are being ignored.”
Momodu criticized both elected officials and government institutions for their perceived indifference to the struggles of everyday citizens, saying the brazenness of today’s political class is unprecedented.
“The level of audacity and disregard for the people among those in the executive, legislature, and even local governments is simply unbelievable,” he said. “It’s almost as if they no longer feel any sense of accountability.”
Reflecting on the legacy of the June 12 pro-democracy struggle, Momodu lamented what he described as a betrayal of the sacrifices made by activists and citizens alike.
“All those who fought, suffered, and even died for democracy would be heartbroken if they could see what Nigeria has become,” he said. “It’s a tragic irony.”
Turning to internal crises within the PDP, Momodu blamed the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what he called the “destabilization” of the party. He accused Wike of exerting undue influence over the party’s direction, particularly ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“It’s absurd that one individual, who should be focused on running Abuja, is dictating the PDP’s presidential strategy for 2027,” Momodu said. “What Wike is doing is a continuation of the same political strong-arming he employed in Rivers State, and it appears he has the full backing of higher authorities.”
He further questioned Wike’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey: “Where was Wike during the June 12 struggle? Who even knew him back then? Yet today, he speaks as if he built the country.”
Momodu described Wike’s actions as “a political coup” against the PDP, accusing him of hijacking the party’s leadership and values.
“He’s attempting to impose his will on a party that elevated him to national prominence. That’s not just wrong—it’s immoral,” he said.
The PDP stalwart also criticized recent remarks by President Bola Tinubu, who, during the reopening of the Abuja International Conference Centre, referred to concerned Nigerians as “busybodies” and “bystanders.” Momodu found the comments deeply troubling.
“Who is a bystander in his own country?” he asked. “This kind of rhetoric, especially in defense of one man [Wike], only deepens public frustration. It feels like we have two presidents running the country.”
Despite the turmoil within the PDP, Momodu reaffirmed his refusal to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he could not support a system where, in his view, impunity reigns.
“If I had plans to join the APC, I wouldn’t be speaking like this,” he said. “But my conscience won’t allow me to sit in a room where one man dictates to seasoned leaders who have served this country for decades.”
He concluded with a stark warning: unless Nigeria addresses its broken political structure and reins in unchecked political dominance, the country risks slipping further into authoritarianism.
“The PDP has its faults, no doubt,” he said. “But when people like Wike are allowed to act with impunity, we are moving dangerously backward.”
Story credit: Punch Nigeria.
