THE DEMOCRATIC VALUES BUHARI HANDED OVER TO TINUBU, BY LAURETTA ONOCHIE

President Buhari was a democrat to the core. Under his government, the opposition thrived and won some off-season gubernatorial elections in some states. He did not coerce anyone to join his political party.

Muhammadu Buhari’s last Democracy Day Broadcast Address as President of Nigeria 

During his own campaign when he was a candidate, he would encourage Nigerians to exercise their rights to choose any candidate of their choice, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and party.

President  Buhari understood and followed the core values of democracy which are the fundamental principles that uphold and guide democratic governance in our nation. He believed that these ensure freedom, fairness, accountability, and participation in the political system. He followed them all.

HERE THEY ARE:

1. Popular Sovereignty – The power and authority of government come from the people. Citizens have the right to choose their leaders and influence decisions. 🔥Today, unless you join Renewed Hope as a leader, you have no such rights. Pres. Buhari did not tolerate the withdrawal of security apparatus from then Governor Obiano of APGA, Anambra. He found it offensive to Democracy. the way he treated APC Governors was the same way he treated opposition Governors. His foreign trips included opposition Governors

2. Rule of Law – Everyone, including those in power, is subject to the law. No one is above it, and justice must be applied equally and fairly.
🔥Today, a democratically elected Governor was removed from the state that elected him, as a warning to any Governor who would dare to have a dissenting voice. Rather than stand with their colleague and democracy, they cowardly began to stand with a lawless mandate.

President Buhari followed the laws of Nigeria in his government’s support of crises ridden states like Borno, Zamfara, Benue, etc. He stood with Governors to deal with the crises. No governor was removed from office.

3. Political Equality – All citizens have equal rights to participate in political processes — to vote, to run for office, and to express opinions freely.
🔥Today, threatened by the shocking emergence of an opposition Coalition, African Democratic Congress,  “Operation Drown The Opposition” has been activated; especially in states where the Governors’ only achievement and relevance is standing on a lawless mandate. President Buhari understood political Equality so, he focused on building and strengthening his political vehicle, APC, on democratic principles, allowing the opposition to do same which led to them winning some states in bye-elections.

4. Respect for Human Rights – Democracy protects fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, association, and the press.
🔥Today, Nigerians are being whisked away by security forces for calling President Tinubu a name. Excuse me! There’s no president in our history who had more hatred and venom unleashed on him than President Buhari. He took it all in his strides. He did not see his name-callers as lawbreakers nor disrespect as the citizens’ voices must be heard.

5. Separation of Powers – The government is divided into branches (executive, legislative, and judiciary) to prevent abuse of power and ensure checks and balances.
🔥Today, Nigerians cannot see any line between the three arms of government. There is not a single line of demarcation between them. President Tinubu is 110% in charge of both the judiciary and the Legislature with a couple of lone voices in the National Assembly. Pres. Buhari was stood up by both arms of government. We still remember Yakubu Dogara and others. When President Buhari signed an executive order for Local Government Autonomy, to rescue the funds that accrue to the 774 Local governments from Governors, and be paid to them directly, Nigerian slave masters went to court and the Court granted their prayers for local government continued captivity.

6. Accountability and Transparency – Public officials must be answerable to the people, and government actions should be open to public scrutiny.
🔥Tinubu’s government is a shining example of one that has no regards for accountability to the people. With a cabinet, scarred by allegations of certificate and electoral forgeries as well as outright pilfering of public funds, Nigerians have managed to dislodge two. Non has been charged. Alhaji Saleh Mamman was a minister who was found wanting under Pres. Buhari. He was charged and his case is still ongoing.

7. Pluralism and Tolerance – A healthy democracy embraces diversity of opinions, religions, and cultures, encouraging peaceful coexistence and dialogue.
🔥Today, Nigerians cannot freely share their opinions on national issues for fear of being hounded physically and digitally. This government is intolerant of any voice that does not stand on the Cult of the Renewed Hope that replaced our once law-abiding APC. For fear of being replaced, the APC National officers are scared stiff of parading themselves in APC regalia. This is the worst form of slavery. Under President Buhari, all Nigerians were free to belong to anywhere they deemed fit.

8. Citizen Participation – Democracy thrives when citizens actively engage in public affairs, not just through voting but also through civic involvement and community service.
🔥Today, many Nigerians are tired of the punishing antics of the ruling party. But many too, are scared to take a step away from the coven for fear of being hounded, humiliated and intimidated. President Buhari encouraged Nigerians to freely associate with one another and vote whosoever they pleased, according to our constitution.

9. Justice and Fairness – Decisions should be made impartially, ensuring social justice and protecting the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups.
🔥Today,  justice and Fairness are two words we find only, in the pages of our constitution. In practice, they are not even whispered let alone, put into practice. A government that failed to dispense justice to aggrieved families of victims, by granting pardon to the most despicable criminals, can be nothing but insensitive and heartless especially to the families of the victims of crimes.

10. Peaceful Transfer of Power – Leadership changes through free and fair elections, not through violence, coercion, or manipulation.
🔥Today, as 2027 approaches, there’s tension in our nation. The language of the ruling cult is openly and clearly telling the opposition in Nigeria that no other candidates will be allowed to compete with their candidates across the nation; from Presidency down to the grassroots. This is in sharp contrast to the ideals of democracy on which Nigeria stands. President Buhari encouraged opposition voices and clearly had an INEC that was truly independent.

It is very sad and abhorrent, the depth Nigeria has fallen under the leadership of Pres. Tinubu. But Nigerians are now, gradually defying the undemocratic antics of these pretenders to the practice of democracy and standing up to the bullying antics of those who cannot spell “Democracy”.

We must continue to stand for those who cannot stand and speak for those who cannot speak, includingthosecwho suffer from Stockholm Syndrome. Tinubu’s Government’s expiry date is May 29th, 2027. It is written. It is sacrosanct. It is indelible.

God bless Nigeria.
Lauretta Onochie.
@Laurestar.