The sacrifice of the constitution, the burial of democracy, and rise of autocracy

In a functioning democracy, the constitution is sacrosanct. It is the bedrock upon which governance is built, ensuring that power is exercised within defined boundaries.

However, in Nigeria, the constitution has become a sacrificial lamb on the altar of political convenience. Democracy is being buried, brick by brick, while autocracy rises from its grave, wearing the deceptive mask of leadership.

The Rivers crisis: When governors become expendable

One of the most glaring examples of constitutional sabotage is the political drama unfolding in Rivers state. The suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by a faction of the state assembly is not just a power struggle

It is a deliberate erasure of constitutional authority. The governor, duly elected by the people, has been systematically stripped of his powers in a coordinated effort that reeks of political puppeteering.

This crisis exposes a fundamental flaw in Nigeria’s federalism: state governors, who are meant to be custodians of their state’s autonomy, are increasingly becoming pawns in a larger game controlled by “the Lagos boy” a reference to the growing centralisation of power by one political bloc. Instead of standing their ground, many governors have resigned themselves to political servitude, watching helplessly as their states are governed from Abuja, rather than their capitals.

Fubara’s passive response only adds to the tragedy. At a time when bold leadership is required, he is watching the assault on democracy unfold in 2D – a flat, uninspired display of governance that leaves Rivers vulnerable to external manipulation. If a sitting governor can be so easily rendered powerless, what does that say about the strength of our democratic institution?

The national anthem change: A loss of pride, a mockery of sovereignty

While Nigeria’s economy crumbles and governance continues to deteriorate, the government somehow found time to change the national anthem, an act that has no tangible benefit yet symbolises the deep erosion of national identity. The return to the colonial-era anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee, was not just a tone-deaf decision, but a clear statement of misplaced priorities.

For a country striving for self-determination, reinstating an anthem written by a Briton, Lillian Jean Williams, is nothing short of a betrayal of our sovereignty. An anthem is not just a song; it is a declaration of identity. By reviving a piece of colonial history, Nigeria has essentially turned its back on its post-independence legacy, sending a message that we are still tethered to the past.

While other nations strengthen their cultural narratives, Nigeria is undoing its progress, all in the name of nostalgia. The irony? The leaders who pushed for this change are the same ones who claim to champion Pan-Africanism. How does one fight for African dignity while embracing a colonial relic? The contradiction is as staggering as it is insulting.

The plague of taxation: The “Lagos model” isn’t a blueprint for Nigeria

If there is any indication that Nigeria is sliding into economic autocracy, it is the new tax reform bill—a policy so burdensome that it threatens to strangle businesses and citizens alike. The government, desperate for revenue, is imposing tax structures that mirror the Lagos model, but here’s the problem: Nigeria is not Lagos.

Lagos, with its commercial density and relative infrastructure, can sustain higher taxation. But applying the same model to a country where basic amenities are a luxury is not just unfair, it is reckless. The working class, already struggling under inflation and economic mismanagement, is now being crushed under the weight of excessive taxation with little to no accountability on how these funds are used.

Worse still, taxation without visible governance is nothing short of economic oppression. Roads remain dilapidated, security is a joke, and social services are non-existent, yet the government expects the people to fund its inefficiencies. This is no longer governance; it is daylight robbery masquerading as fiscal policy.

The rise of autocracy in a failing democracy

Nigeria is no longer walking the path of democracy; it is sprinting toward a centralised, autocratic system, where power is concentrated in a few hands, dissent is silenced, and institutions are reduced to mere ceremonial bodies.

•The executive arm wields unchecked influence over the legislature and judiciary.
•Governors are reduced to state representatives rather than state leaders.
•Economic policies are dictated without citizen engagement.
•Decisions that should strengthen national identity instead of eroding it.

This is not democracy. This is a system where the people exist only to validate elections, after which their voices become irrelevant.

Where do we go from here?

Nigeria stands at a crossroads: either reclaim democracy or watch it be buried completely. Citizens must wake up to the realisation that governance is not a spectator sport. Political literacy must become a national priority, and accountability must be demanded, not requested.

Democracy is not just about elections—it is about the daily enforcement of constitutional values. If we do not act now, we will soon find ourselves ruled, not governed.