SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, has expressed serious concerns about Nigeria’s democratic future, describing President Bola Tinubu’s style of leadership as increasingly resembling that of an emperor.
The cleric warned that the growing concentration of political influence around the presidency could undermine democratic institutions and cast doubt on the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Onah made the remarks in a video shared on X on Friday by former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu.
In his assessment, the bishop questioned why elected officials, who supposedly derive their authority from the people, appear increasingly aligned with the president rather than remaining accountable to their constituents.
He argued that Nigeria’s democratic structure is being weakened by what he sees as excessive presidential influence over other arms and levels of government.
According to him, institutions constitutionally empowered to provide checks and balances, including the judiciary and the National Assembly, appear to have lost much of their independence.
The bishop also criticized state governors and local government chairmen, accusing them of acting more like political agents of the president than independent leaders accountable to the people who elected them.
“Why are they all now standing on the mandate of the president because the president has become an absolute monarch? An emperor who is not controlled by anybody or by any forces,” Onah questioned.
His concerns extended beyond the current political atmosphere to the next general election, which he believes could be compromised by the apparent imbalance of political power.
While Nigerians and political stakeholders continue to express hopes for free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, the bishop was pessimistic about those expectations becoming reality.
“Everybody is saying we want a free and fair election in 2027; it will not happen. The signs are everywhere,” he declared.
Onah’s comments raise important questions about the health of Nigeria’s democracy, particularly the independence of institutions, accountability of elected representatives, and the ability of opposition parties to compete on a level playing field.
With the 2027 elections approaching, his warning adds to the growing national conversation about whether Nigeria’s democratic institutions are strong enough to guarantee credible elections and prevent excessive concentration of political power.
Although the bishop’s remarks represent his assessment of the current political situation, they highlight issues that will require serious attention from political leaders, electoral authorities, and Nigerians ahead of the next general election.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
