SDP Leader Sounds Alarm on Democratic Erosion
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, has expressed grave concerns about Nigeria's democratic stability following violent disturbances at the Peoples Democratic Party's national headquarters.
In a strongly worded statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, Gabam characterized Tuesday's chaos at Wadata Plaza as evidence of a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism in the country's political landscape.
State Machinery Used to Silence Opposition
Gabam insisted that the Wadata Plaza incident was not merely an isolated conflict but represented what he called a brazen display of anarchy that reveals a disturbing pattern of using state institutions to suppress political opponents.
According to the SDP chairman, eyewitness accounts suggest an emerging trend where state structures are being deployed to intimidate dissenting voices, a development he warned could seriously undermine public trust and destabilize Nigeria's democratic system.
The spectacle witnessed at Wadata Plaza shows a disturbing repurposing of state machinery to silence dissent, Gabam stated. Such actions weaken the rule of law and threaten the very foundations of our democracy.
Security Agencies Accused of Partisanship
Gabam directly criticized security agencies for allegedly abandoning their primary responsibility of protecting citizens and instead being utilized as tools to harass political rivals.
When law enforcement becomes an instrument of intimidation, the social contract collapses, he asserted. Citizens deserve assurance that security forces will act impartially, not as partisan enforcers.
The SDP chairman connected the Wadata Plaza violence to broader national security challenges, specifically mentioning:
- The killing of a Brigadier General in Borno State
- The abduction of students in Kebbi State
These are the issues that require decisive leadership—not partisan battles, Gabam emphasized, noting that the nation is grieving from multiple security crises.
Warning to President Tinubu
Gabam reminded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of his own history as a prominent opposition figure whose political ascent was made possible through democratic struggles and coalition-building.
The SDP chairman cautioned that the sacrifices made to establish democracy in Nigeria must not be eroded under the current administration.
It is his duty to uphold the values that brought him to office—respect for dissent, strong institutions, and national unity, Gabam stated firmly.
He stressed that Nigeria's numerous challenges should serve as a rallying point for national unity rather than an opportunity for political division.
President Tinubu must take full responsibility for safeguarding our democracy and ensuring security agencies serve all citizens without bias, Gabam concluded. Nigeria's peace must never be bargained away.
The SDP chairman also warned that Nigeria is witnessing a repeated cycle of political manipulation through abuse of constitutional processes, recalling that similar tactics were previously used to destabilize the SDP.
What happened to the SDP is now threatening the PDP, he observed. Exploiting state machinery for partisan gain sets a dangerous precedent that could unravel hard-won democratic gains.
