A respected Niger Delta elder and political analyst, Chief Sara-Igbe, has raised alarm over the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, claiming that the presidency is becoming increasingly authoritarian. He warned that the country’s current trajectory could lead to a scenario where the President seeks a third term in office and the National Assembly, along with the judiciary, would willingly endorse it. His remarks have sparked serious conversations nationwide about the erosion of constitutional checks and balances in Nigeria’s democracy.
According to a video posted on the official YouTube channel of SYMFONI from 8:26, while making a speech, Chief Sara-Igbe explained, “With the way things are going the president may ask for third term and the national assembly will approve it.” He voiced strong concerns that the country’s key institutions, particularly the judiciary and the legislature, have become mere extensions of the executive. Sara-Igbe said the supposed separation of powers has collapsed, warning that Nigeria is slowly heading toward a system where democracy is reduced to a tool of convenience, manipulated by those in power to extend their stay.
Sara-Igbe further stated that the judiciary, once seen as the last hope of the common man, is now sleeping or pretending to be asleep. He cited several instances where the courts have failed to act or deliver timely justice on critical matters affecting the nation. According to him, court decisions have become increasingly biased, often favoring the executive arm of government, while suppressing opposition voices. He warned that when the judiciary becomes an appendage of the presidency, then there is no democracy to speak of, only a regime masked by constitutional illusions.
He did not spare the National Assembly either, accusing lawmakers of betraying their constitutional responsibilities. Referring to their role in the Rivers State crisis, he noted that they acted in defiance of constitutional provisions, particularly sections 114 and 123, which clearly outline the limits of their powers. He criticized the assembly for becoming a rubber stamp institution that no longer serves the interests of the Nigerian people. Sara-Igbe lamented that those in power are now more focused on protecting their political alliances than safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s democratic framework.
Chief Sara-Igbe’s remarks reflect a deepening concern across the country about democratic backsliding and increasing executive overreach. His warning about the possibility of a third term bid, although speculative, has struck a nerve in a nation that still remembers the failed third-term agenda of a former president. As tensions mount over governance, institutional failure, and political intimidation, many Nigerians are now calling for immediate reforms to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and legislature. Sara-Igbe’s voice, while controversial to some, echoes a sentiment shared by millions who fear the future of Nigeria’s democracy may be hanging by a thread. See, More, Here>>>
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