Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prevent Nigeria from drifting toward a potential rupture.
Speaking via an open letter on Friday, he warned that what is unfolding within the nation’s political space currently raises grave concern.
He said, “The increasing suppression, direct or indirect, of opposition voices, the apparent drive toward political dominance without restraint, and the erosion of democratic balance are not merely troubling; they are signals of a system under stress and heading towards potential rupture.
“This is not a routine correspondence; it is a deeply held conviction from my heart.”
He maintained that democracy cannot survive where opposition is weakened, ridiculed or systematically neutralised, adding that, “a country governed without credible dissent is not stable, it is volatile and volatility, once ignited, respects no office, no title and no authority.
“Mr President, history is littered with leaders who mistook control for strength. They surrounded themselves with applause, silenced criticism, and dismissed warnings until reality corrected them, often irreversibly. I request you fervently not to walk that path.”
George, who said the president stood at a decisive crossroad, added that, “You can choose to correct course, strengthen democratic institutions, and restore national confidence.
“Or you can allow the current trajectory to continue, one that risks deepening division and inviting consequences that no administration can fully control.”
He also urged the president to embrace the truth and Distance himself from sycophants, saying, “Distance yourself from sycophants. Embrace truth and act with courage. Remove those who mislead you.
“Listen to voices of reason. Protect the democratic space. Save Nigeria from an avoidable crisis. Protect its democracy. Preserve its unity. Secure its future,” he added.