Former presidential aspirant and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has voiced strong concerns about the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the nation is veering toward what he described as a “civilian dictatorship.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Momodu said the erosion of democratic values is becoming more evident, particularly in the lead-up to this year’s Democracy Day, observed on June 12.
“I’m very happy that today coincides with the lead-up to June 12 (Democracy Day), so that if we still have any iota of conscience left, we’ll realise we have damaged this democracy,” Momodu said.
He continued: “The summary of it all is that on the eve of June 12, Nigeria is virtually back to civilian dictators who don’t care how you feel or what you think. Nigerians are hungry. We’ve damaged this democracy, and I hope we’ve not damaged it beyond repair because the audacity, the effrontery of this set of politicians—whether in the executive, legislature, or local government—is totally unbelievable.”
Reflecting on the sacrifices made by democracy activists during the June 12 struggle, Momodu lamented the present state of governance.
“All those who suffered for this democracy—especially those who are now in heaven—if they can see us, they would be crying,” he said.
‘Wike Acting Like Nigeria’s Founding Father’
Momodu also weighed in on the internal crisis within the PDP, criticizing the role of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. He accused Wike of hijacking the party’s decision-making process and questioned his democratic principles.
“It sounds ridiculous that one man, who should be busy in Abuja, is dictating where the PDP presidential ticket should go in 2027. What Wike is doing is a rehash of what he did in Rivers State—and he is clearly doing so with the backing of those at the top,” Momodu remarked.
“Where was Wike during the June 12 struggle? Who knew him then? But today, he speaks as if he’s the founding father of Nigeria.”
He also referenced the recent political unrest in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, blaming Wike for the crisis.
“A major crisis of monumental dimension was orchestrated and aggravated by one man. Just because he wouldn’t go away quietly, a state of emergency had to be declared. It’s unprecedented in Nigeria’s history,” he stated.
Momodu likened Wike’s actions to a “coup” against the PDP, accusing him of leveraging coercion and manipulation to impose his will on the party.
“What he’s doing now is tantamount to staging a coup against the party that made him everything he is today. He does not have the moral right to dictate the direction of the PDP,” he added.
Blasts Tinubu’s ‘Busybodies’ Remark
The media mogul also responded to remarks made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the commissioning of the refurbished Abuja International Conference Centre, now renamed after the president. He expressed disappointment at Tinubu’s reference to concerned
Nigerians as “busybodies” and “bystanders.”
“I listened to the President refer to concerned Nigerians as ‘busybodies’ and ‘bystanders.’ Who is a bystander in his own country? All because of one man—Wike,” Momodu said.
“Wike was dancing after commissioning a centre said to have cost over ₦30 billion. Right now, it feels like we have two presidents in Nigeria,” he added.
‘My Soul Is Out of PDP, But I Won’t Join APC’
Despite his criticisms of the PDP’s internal crisis, Momodu ruled out the possibility of defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), even as several PDP governors have done so.
“If I wanted to join the APC, I wouldn’t be speaking to you like this. I’d be giving excuses, like the rest. But my soul is out of PDP—I cannot sit in a room where one man dictates to adults who have served Nigeria all their lives,” he stated.
Momodu concluded by warning that unless Nigeria reforms its political culture and restores democratic values, it risks descending into full-blown autocracy.
“PDP is part of its own problem, no doubt. But people like Wike, doing what they do with impunity, are taking us dangerously backwards,” he said.
