By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
The National President of the Society for Advancement of Democracy (SAD), Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu, has urged the Senate not to derail Nigeria’s democracy by shielding draconian legislation and corruption emanating from the presidency.
Speaking to journalists on Democracy Day in his Abuja chambers, the elder statesman said although the Senate President only announces the chamber’s decisions, the institution itself must rise to protect democratic norms.
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Nwafor-Orizu, Principal Partner of Friends Chambers and former Special Assistant to President Shehu Shagari, stated that democracy demands more than elections.
“It demands rule of law, respect for opposition, and leaders who honor their oath to citizens,” he said. He rated the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu poorly, accusing it of strangling democracy through executive overreach.
He faulted what he called a narrow assessment of the Tinubu government by many analysts. According to him, a proper evaluation must weigh political, economic, and security realities together.
He claimed Tinubu had “done well” in only one sense: he showed Nigerians before the election that his pro-democracy rhetoric while opposing Jonathan was insincere.
“Replaying those old recordings today would be embarrassing because there is no evidence of liberalization under this administration,” he said.
The SAD leader accused the presidency of undermining internal democracy by preventing party primaries and handpicking candidates. “I cannot stand by and keep quiet and say democracy is not being trampled upon,” he declared, adding that the process within parties has been hijacked.
He also criticized the dominance of the presidency over political parties, citing cases where one politician leads two parties at once to “deliver for the president.”
On security, Nwafor-Orizu called for a special task force and a declaration of war against insecurity. He lamented what he described as weak presidential leadership, the arrest of critics, and the use of courts to suppress opposition.
He recalled Mrs. Jonathan’s public tears during the Chibok abductions and asked what the current First Lady has done to commiserate with mothers grieving over killings nationwide, saying the government appears indifferent to citizens’ welfare.
While critical of Tinubu’s democratic record, Nwafor-Orizu acknowledged the removal of fuel subsidy as a positive step. He said states now receive ₦2-3 trillion monthly instead of ₦400-500 million, ending salary delays, but stressed that the real test is whether the money is spent wisely. He praised Peter Obi’s record in Anambra for leaving surplus funds, avoiding debt, and winning a UN award on MDGs.
He rejected calls for state police, warning it would turn governors into “emperors” and wipe out opposition, and urged the NBA to ensure lawyers pursue election cases within constitutional timelines.
