The case of the punitive measures taken against former Senate Majority Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, by the Senate and the Senate Leadership is a clear case of suppression of dissenting voices and a threat to democracy. 

In a healthy democracy, dissenting voices should be encouraged, heard, and respected, as they provide essential feedback and contribute to informed decision-making.

The separation of powers is a fundamental concept in democracy that ensures that checks and balances exist and that allows each branch (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial) to limit the others’ powers, preventing abuse and tyranny.

This concept promotes protection of Individual Rights which is associated with separation of powers that safeguards citizens’ rights and freedoms and the prevention of authoritarianism. 

In addition, no single branch should dominate the others as we are witnessing in Nigeria under the leadership of the 10th National assembly and if this trend continues then it will lead to authoritarian rule.

This principle supports the Rule of Law. The rule of law stipulates separation of powers which by extension upholds the principle of rule of law, ensuring equal treatment under the law while strengthening public trust.

Each branch can make decisions independently, without undue arm-twisting. Separation of powers protects the constitution and its principles, preserving democratic foundations. 

By separating powers, democracies safeguard against abuse of power, ensuring a balanced and accountable government that serves the interest of the people. Weak legislative leadership as evident in the 10th National Assembly can have far-reaching negative effects on our dear country’s development and its democracy.

It is quite disturbing that a Senator could be so treated by his party and the Senate leadership for merely stating the obvious. In my personal opinion, Senator Ndume was simply echoing the sentiments of most Nigerians who were at the receiving end of the poor policy choices being made by this administration.

I think the Senator deserved commendation not vilification for trying to draw the attention of his party leaders to the realities on ground. There’s something about Nigerians that is very troubling to know! They are sheepishly following a confirmed lie that has turned the economy on its head.

And at the behest of this suffering, some people have also come out to defend the heinous policies that are sending people to early graves. 

In a sane society, a criminal should not be allowed to be a messenger, not to talk of been a leader. As they were saying that Ndume shouldn’t have spoken against his party publicly! Has Ndume not practiced Democracy now?

But he was deposed for speaking the truth. Logic has been made to stand on its head. Ndume’s removal clearly indicated that speaking the truth to power is now a crime in Nigeria.  

The alleged humiliation of Ndume by the Senate portrayed dictatorial inclination. The crime of Senator Ndume was his bold expression of his concerns regarding the escalating cost of living and food scarcity in Nigeria, and his revelation that the President has chosen to play the ostrich even in the face of acute starvation being witnessed in Nigeria.

The dimension this administration is taken is grave. Sometimes ago, Senator Abdul Ningi exposed the rot in the government where the Senate leadership and the executive collaborators allegedly padded the budget.

That got him suspended and intimidated out of his lawful representative role as a senator. It is needless talking about the economic crisis ongoing in Nigeria even where a few cabal are massively enriching themselves. 

One could wonder what can be called democratic about the ruling party in making decision for an independent legislative arm on who takes up leadership role in the nation’s legislature. This is clear tyranny of a cabal against the legislative autonomy. 

Nigeria is gradually descending into dictatorship and we are calling on the citizens to be on an alert and put up a defence against the starvation weapon being deployed by this administration.

It is often said that no matter how long you suppress truth, it will always manifest. The truth manifested itself recently when the so called Boko Haram spokesman that implicated Ndume went in search of penance before the Senate leader.

Konduga, who was sentenced to three years imprisonment and recently concluded his jail term, was at the residence of the Senate leader to confess his lies and seek for forgiveness.

According to a family source, Konduga’s family had claimed he is mentally unstable. The case of Nigeria is going beyond control as people are really finding it difficult to survive. I believe the government is working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently said that food inflation has risen to 40.66 percent. But on the contrary, with all these glaring and scaring challenges, the government is said to have paid about N150bn for a presidential jet, building roads that have no direct bearing with the economic crises in Nigeria.

But how do you correlate the action of the government with the situation of food inflation.  

God Bless Nigeria!!!