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GOVERNOR OBASEKI’S ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY

: *A CALL FOR CAUTION*
The political melodrama going on presently inside Dennis Osadebe House in Edo State has left many students of politics with no doubt as to how endangered democracy is becoming by the day. Political watchers are at a loss as to how the office of the deputy governor is being violated by the governor, to the extent that a governor is locking out his deputy from office over the perceived political ambition of the latter.
It is important to note that the governor’s action is not an isolated case as there are several instances of governors in Nigeria treating their deputies unfairly. This trend is worrisome and goes against the spirit of democracy as deputy governors, like every other citizen, are entitled to their fundamental human rights, including the right to political participation.
Governor Obaseki’s undemocratic attitude towards his deputy is presently heating the polity in Edo State and is already causing further division and disunity in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state.
Unfortunately, the people elected both the governor and his deputy to work harmoniously for the progress and development of the state, however, the governor’s actions of abandoning governance for personal fights with his deputy are presently creating tension among residents and this is beginning to affect the governance of the state. The reputation of the state is at stake, and the governor’s actions are not setting a good example for future leaders.
The governor’s insistence on preventing his deputy from having political ambition is undeniably, an infringement on his deputy’s fundamental human rights as every individual has the right to aspire for any political office, they deem fit if they meet the requirements stipulated in the constitution. To say it is undemocratic and unlawful for anyone to prevent another from exercising their constitutional rights is to state the obvious. The locked-out was simply an erosion of constitutional order.
Mr Obaseki must be reminded that the office of the deputy governor is a creation of the constitution; it does not exist or function at the discretion of the governor. The governor’s action must be condemned by all believers in constitutional democracy. The governor’s undemocratic attitude towards his deputy has caused division and disunity in the state.
Governor Godwin Obaseki’s actions are tantamount to dictatorship and a complete disregard for constitutional democracy and are an indication that the governor is unfit to hold any public office, as he has shown that he cannot uphold the constitution of Nigeria. This is worrisome because the position of the governor is a vital one, and the governor should be an example of good governance.
The actions of Governor Obaseki could lead to a political crisis in the state and must be avoided. The mandate given to him by the people is to serve them and not to lord over them. The governor must put the interest of the state and the people he governs above his interest.
The governor must realize that he is a public servant, and as such, he is accountable to the people and must respect the oath of office he took and the constitution of Nigeria, which is the supreme law of the land. The governor should realize that democracy thrives on respect for the rule of law, transparency, and accountability.
Some analysts have questioned the governor’s understanding of democracy as democracy is not just about winning elections but also about respecting the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens. Trying to prevent his deputy from pursuing his political ambition is an assault on political legitimacy, the governor is acting in an undemocratic manner and eroding the gains of democracy in the state.
The actions of the governor bring to the fore, the need to review the nation’s democratic system, by structuring it in a way that prevents tyrannical leaders from emerging or thriving. The political system should be designed to promote equity, fairness, and justice, and prevent individuals from using their positions to stifle the rights of others.
The undemocratic attitude of the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, against his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade. Philip Shaibu is a cause for concern. The governor’s actions are a violation of his oath of office and a complete disregard for constitutional democracy. The governor must be reminded that he is a public servant, and he is accountable to the people. The people of Edo State should rise and demand accountability from their leaders. The future of their state and the nation at large depends on it.
*Dr. Denis Osanmuyi*
*Writes from Benin*
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SERAP sues Akpabio over ‘failure to reverse unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti’

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The group argues that the suspension is unlawful and violates her fundamental right to freedom of expression.
SERAP is seeking a court order compelling Akpabio to reverse the six-month suspension, reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, and restore all her legislative privileges. The organization also wants an injunction preventing the Senate from imposing further disciplinary actions against her for expressing her views.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after she reportedly spoke without permission and rejected a new seat assignment in the Senate chamber. As part of her suspension, her salary and allowances have been withheld, and she has been barred from identifying as a senator.
In its suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP contends that the suspension deprives Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents of political representation. The organization also argues that penalizing a senator for exercising free speech creates a chilling effect on other lawmakers.
“No one should ever be punished for speaking without permission,” SERAP stated. “The Senate should uphold the rule of law and protect human rights, not suppress them.”
The group cites constitutional provisions and international human rights treaties, including Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
SERAP maintains that the Senate Standing Orders cannot override constitutional guarantees of free speech. The lawsuit emphasizes that restricting a senator’s expression undermines democracy and violates Nigerians’ right to receive information and participate politically.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
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Market associations, women groups knock el-Rufai, rally support for Tinubu, Gov Sani

Ahead of the 2027 elections, hundreds of members of market associations and numerous women groups in Kaduna state at the weekend, occupied Kaduna metropolis in a peaceful demonstration where they reiterated their loyalty and support to the administration of
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protesters who alleged that they had bitter experiences during the El-Rufa’i administration, said they would remain where Governor Uba Sani stood and advised the citizens of Kaduna not to be deceived by doing the contrary.
They recounted their ordeals during the 8 years of the previous administration, alleging that hundreds of market shops belonging to individuals were either seized, demolished or confiscated, a situation that triggered ill health in many traders and business owners leading to paralysis and multiple deaths of their colleagues.
“We’ve been in the market for over 40 years and have never experienced the kind of set backs we suffered under the previous Governor.”
“A lot of lives were lost,a lot of finances were ruined by reason of his kind of policies. We are here to speak with one voice and say that anything that would kind of revive such kind of philosophy in Kaduna market, we don’t want it,” Daniel Audu Maigari, a stakeholder of the Kaduna Market associations, has said.
He explained that “this incumbent Governor began by healing the wounds, the wounds that were really severed by the former Governor. Governor Uba Sani has been doing so,so very well and that’s why we’ve been with our leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, who like Governor Sani,has been charting the right course, ensuring programmes and plans that will heal these wounds .”
He said there was never been a time they are having the impact of leadership in Kaduna market, like they are having now.
” Now we’ve lots of incentives, lots of policies that are driving us to progress .We are now standing with one voice to denounce anything that would reverse this,” he said.
Alhaji Daiyabu Ismail Mai Gwanjo, Chairman Stakeholders of the Kaduna State Market Traders associations, said on behalf of their leader,Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, his EXCO and all trader leaders in the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, they have gathered to unilaterally declare an unalloyed support to Governor Uba Sani who had taken care of them and protected their interests.
According to him,” we have to say so,haven had the harrowing experience in the hands of the past administration. The scar still remains and many are yet to recover.”
“But when Almighty Allah sent Governor Uba Sani to us,he declared he would not do anything bad to traders because the world thrives on businesses.All the most cherished countries like China, Canada, UAE, India,are very proud of and supportive to their traders and other business persons.”
“Unfortunately, we found ourselves during the previous administration that neither showed empathy nor sympathy to traders. An approximate number of 36 markets were demolished at that time.None of these markets was completely rebuild ,till date,and we are suspicious of the collaboration between the previous administration and the market developers.”
“We are therefore calling on Governor Uba Sani, our Governor of sympathy and understanding, to look at this issue with a view to resolving it.We are with Uba Sani a hundred percent, ” he added.
Hajiya Hadiza Abdulaziz,a woman leader of the market association,said they have gathered in multitudes to reiterate their support to the APC and Governor Uba Sani who has tremendously supported the market men and women in Kaduna State.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
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