Prof. Udenta Udenta, the founding National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), has criticized President Bola Tinubu for eroding democratic values and weaponizing the judiciary and the 1999 Constitution against the Nigerian populace.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Thursday, Udenta expressed his concerns regarding the recent suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, deeming it an example of the Tinubu administration’s distortion of democratic institutions.
“The very systems that should uphold democratic governance are being weaponized. The judiciary and state institutions are being manipulated to stifle democratic dialogue. This reflects the legacy of President Bola Tinubu and his political allies,” he stated.
Udenta emphasized that democracy does not simply collapse through violence; instead, it deteriorates when foundational norms are disregarded and tools of power are used to dismantle the frameworks that uphold democratic integrity, as seen in Rivers State.
He also condemned Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), for undermining democratic principles by suspending all political appointees, characterizing the situation as a “hybrid regime” associated with competitive authoritarianism. This approach, he argued, stifles the essence of democracy and threatens various institutions, including labor unions, media outlets, political parties, and civil society groups.
Additionally, Udenta lamented the decline in the quality of life for Nigerians over the past two years, noting increasing hunger and poverty exacerbated by soaring food inflation that has severely impacted the earnings of ordinary citizens.
