Wabara to N’Assembly: Our Democracy Under State Capture, Rise Up to Challenge
*Says legalising electronic transmission of votes, BIVAS are germane
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Aldophus Wabara, has called on the National Assembly to rise up to the challenge of saving Nigeria’s democracy because it was currently under state capture.
He said the federal legislature should leverage its constitutional role of lawmaking and make compulsory the use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BIVAS) and electronic transmission of election results.
The former Senate President made the call in a message he issued to mark his 77th birthday anniversary, yesterday, Sunday June 1, 2025.
Wabara insisted that with legally-manadated use of BIVAS and elecrronic transmission of poll results, the 2027 general election would be fraud-free and truly reflect the will of the suffering Nigerian masses.
He warned that anti-democratic forces were at work and hell bent on converting Nigeria to a one-party state, saying the potent weapon to checkmate them was through a credible transparent election come 2027.
According to him, “Democracy in Nigeria is under state capture hence the need to weep out the forces threatening the sustainability of the prevailing multiparty system of government.”
He stated that a one-party Nigeria portended grave danger because it would pave the way for the emergence of a hydra-headed tyrant.
The PDP BoT Chairman also warned against suppression of opposition voices, saying “leaders become tyrants in the absence of vocal patriots, who can stand with the people and point at the right direction.
“Suppression of dissenting voices and the opposition in Nigeria was becoming worrisome,” adding that there was no way democracy could thrive in a political environment that lacked credible opposition.
He, however, encouraged the opposition parties to remain undaunted in playing their roles, and resist any attempt to gag them.
He said the APC-controlled federal government has no choice but to listen and hear the opposition voice, adding that a truly democratic government was measured by the extent to which it could tolerate dissenting voices.
Wabara has consistently been advocating the survival of Nigeria’s democracy and warning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against anti-democratic tendencies.
He said getting older would not make him keep quiet, change tune and stop speaking truth to power, thereby abandoning being on the side of the Nigerian people.
“Anyone at my age and still afraid of speaking the truth without fear or favour, is a complete disappointment to his generation. Any nation without courageous men who can boldly speak truth to power is doomed,” he said.
Wabara, who hails from Ohambele in Ukwa East Local Government or Abia State, was born on June 1, 1948, in Port Harcourt, the capital city of present Rivers State.
He said that God has been merciful to him and preserved his life to attain his new age of 77 years, and pledged that he would continue to devote the rest of his life to the service of God and humanity.
