Intimidation of Makinde Bala Mohammed Undermines Democracy — Bode George Warns

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Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has strongly criticised what he described as the intimidation and harassment of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

In a statement released on the matter, George argued that targeting elected state governors for expressing opposing political views amounts to a deliberate attempt to weaken Nigeria’s democratic system.

Reflecting on the country’s democratic evolution alongside recent political and economic trends, the elder statesman warned that a democracy without a strong and functional opposition is nothing more than authoritarian rule disguised as civilian governance.

He lamented what he described as an increasing intolerance for dissent and political plurality in the country.

According to George, Nigeria has reached a critical moment in its democratic journey, where fear and uncertainty are growing—not because the nation lacks potential, but due to the steady erosion of the democratic principles that hold it together.

He described the reported harassment of Governors Makinde and Bala Mohammed as far more than routine political disagreements, warning that such actions represent a calculated attack on Nigeria’s federal structure.

George stressed that when state executives are pressured or threatened for holding divergent opinions, it signals a dangerous drift toward a one-party system, noting that democracy flourishes through diversity of thought rather than enforced silence.

Turning to economic concerns, the former PDP chieftain criticised what he called a troubling disconnect between government actions and the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.

He expressed concern over reports of substantial financial contributions toward a private library project for the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing the move as insensitive given the prevailing economic difficulties.

George argued that at a time when millions of Nigerians struggle with hunger and poverty, such resources should be redirected toward alleviating widespread suffering rather than funding elite projects.

He emphasized that true leadership is defined by service and sacrifice, not by personal legacy-building while citizens endure severe economic pain.

The PDP elder also issued a direct appeal to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy rests heavily on the electoral body.

He urged the commission to uphold fairness and impartiality, calling for an end to what he described as questionable election outcomes attributed to technical failures or unexplained anomalies.

According to George, Nigeria deserves credible, transparent, and genuinely competitive elections in which the will of the people—expressed through the ballot—determines leadership, rather than behind-the-scenes arrangements.