- The time for complacency is over. Nigerians abroad cannot afford to remain silent while the nation edges closer to authoritarianism.
Hon. Dr. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi, the longest-serving European Diaspora leader and current Deputy National Chairman (Diaspora Engagement) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has issued a stern warning regarding the rising authoritarian tendencies of the Bola Tinubu administration. In his recent media chat, Gbandi expressed grave concerns over the government’s escalating crackdown on civil society, trade unions, and individuals critical of its policies. He believes that these actions represent a dangerous slide into totalitarianism, one that Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora, can no longer afford to ignore.
Dr. Gbandi’s alarm follows a series of troubling incidents, starting with the arrest and treason trials of peaceful protesters, and most recently, the detention of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President. The arrest was seen as a move to silence the NLC President ahead of his planned address to the World Trade Union Organization. This pattern of suppressing dissent continued with the ransacking of offices of NGOs that have voiced criticism of the government. These actions highlight an alarming trend where the government is systematically targeting opposition voices under the guise of national security.
A particularly worrying case cited by Gbandi involves the Department of State Services (DSS) inviting the convener of a Lagos-based group that had sued the state government and others over a controversial $100 million land deal involving Dangote. Such actions, he argued, illustrate a growing intolerance for any form of critique, which is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes.
For Gbandi, this is not just an issue of isolated incidents but rather a coordinated strategy to clamp down on freedoms of speech, association, and protest. He believes that Nigerians in the diaspora, many of whom are said to be on government watch lists, are also at risk. According to him, there have already been indications that some diasporans could face arrest should they return to Nigeria. Despite these threats, Gbandi stresses that the diaspora community must take a united stand and speak out before it’s too late.
The time for complacency is over, Gbandi insists. Nigerians abroad cannot afford to remain silent while the nation edges closer to authoritarianism. He calls for a broad-based coalition, uniting people across political, tribal, and religious lines to defend the fundamental rights of Nigerians both at home and abroad. The Diaspora, with its unique position and influence, should lead the charge in protecting freedom of speech, peaceful protest, and the right to hold leaders accountable.
As the Tinubu administration continues its trajectory, Gbandi warns that the longer Nigerians remain silent, the more entrenched these authoritarian tendencies will become. It is only by speaking up now, he argues, that Nigerians can prevent a full descent into totalitarianism and ensure that the principles of democracy, for which many have fought and died, are preserved.
