Dele Momodu, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
Speaking on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Momodu described the suspension as an “anti-democratic” action that goes against the principles Tinubu once stood for.
Momodu expressed disappointment over the president’s decision, recalling Tinubu’s past role in fighting for democracy. He noted, “I think it is very unfortunate. I know President Tinubu very, very, very well. Though I’ve not been in the same party with him and all that, we were together in exile, and he fought gallantly for this democracy. So a lot of us, co-comrades at that time, are actually very embarrassed that we have a pro-democracy leader in government, and yet what we are witnessing is worse than dictatorship.”
The PDP chieftain pointed out that while failure in economic policies or other areas of governance may be forgiven, undermining democracy is unacceptable. He stated, “And I have said it openly so many times, in many open letters, you can fail in economy, no problem; people will forgive you and say you’re not a professor of economics. You can fail in other areas, but don’t fail in democracy.”
Momodu urged Tinubu to prioritize strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, citing former presidents who upheld democratic principles despite challenges. “You must deepen our democracy, which President Goodluck Jonathan succeeded in doing, which Obasanjo succeeded in doing, despite allegations and accusations of a third term attempt, still managed to hand over power to President Yar’Adua,” he noted.
The former presidential candidate also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of suppressing opposition voices. He warned that silencing critics and using intimidation tactics could backfire on the president. “The only thing that can guarantee a second term is to do your job well. You do not need to intimidate anybody,” Momodu said.
He further advised Tinubu to be cautious about the guidance he receives from his advisers, suggesting that poor counsel could harm his administration. In a direct appeal, he stated, “I’m pleading with President Bola Tinubu, ‘Please don’t kill democracy in Nigeria.’ Everybody who loves him will tell him this. I don’t; I’ve not asked him for anything, but we love him for his contributions to the motivation in the back, which is what is going down the drain.”
