—– Says democracy cannot thrive where rule of law is compromised, dissenting voices are suppressed, and government accountability is replaced by executive overreach.
A Public Policy Analyst and Former Presidential Candidate, National Conscience Party (NCP), Chief Martin Onovo, made this known while speaking on the topic “Nnamdi Kanu’s Life Sentence: Implications to the Security and Politics of Ndigbo,” on the programme, Beyond the Headlines on Freedom Square TV, anchored by Uchenna Cyril Anioke.
Chief Onovo, raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s democratic direction, warning that the country is gradually drifting into what he describes as a civilian dictatorship in the face of persistent insecurity.
He argued that the current governance climate reflects weakening democratic institutions, shrinking civic space, and a pattern of leadership decisions that undermine constitutional principles.
Onovo emphasized that insecurity ranging from terrorism and banditry to kidnapping has become a tool often used to justify excessive state power, military-style governance tactics, and disregard for democratic norms.
“ Professor Usman Yusuf once said that 65% of their Local Government have serious security issues. Security is fundamental before you talk about welfare. How can you get the welfare when you are insecured,” he noted.
He stressed that Nigeria is practicing civilian dictatorship under the guise of democracy, noting that leadership ought to strengthen security agencies, protect citizens, and uphold transparency rather than centralize power.
In his words, “it a lie that we have democracy in Nigeria, it is a big lie and we need a thousand lies to cover that lie. What we have is a civilian dictatorship. It is not the first time that I have said it. I have said this in the public, a thousand times. What we have is a maximum civilian dictatorship. There is no law that this regime has not violated. Tell me any law that this regime has not violated and i will cite the violation for you. The whole process of the state of emergency in Rivers was unlawful. The process for our brother Dave Umahi and his other Federal Executive Council awarding federal roads was completely lawless. When the Supreme Court gave the judgement in the 2023 presidential election, i said that the supreme Court has initiated the complete collapse of Nigeria. Who is right,who is wrong. This is clear, you cannot build any good society on an unjust foundation . That is what Oby Ezekwesili said said that what happened to Nigeria is elite failure.”
Continuing, “how can the elite be the one destroying the society. So there is no democracy. I have argued this with your colleagues. And somebody like you, you armed me very well when you said that even your own election was flawed, when you won election, you said it and I think you are not the person that said it. Even Yaradua said it, I think Yaradua said it before you. That is because you and Yaradua appreciate the power of integrity, truth and justice. Yaradua said that the election that brought me to power was flawed. He didn’t just say it and stop there, he now said let us make it better and then he put the UWAIS electoral committee.”
He therefore called on political leaders, civil society, and citizens to defend democratic values, insisting that only a genuinely democratic environment can guarantee long-term peace, justice, and national stability.
He warned that unless urgent reforms are made, Nigeria risks sliding deeper into authoritarianism under civilian rule.