The Day Tinubu and Wike Betrayed Nigeria—What’s Next for Our Rights?

Imagine waking up to find your democracy crumbling, piece by piece, right before your eyes. That’s the gut-wrenching reality we’re facing in Nigeria today, especially with the chaos unfolding in Rivers State. I’ve been losing sleep, agonizing over how our nation’s leaders—sworn to protect our Constitution—are letting it slip through their fingers. And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, I heard the latest twist: the National Assembly, egged on by President Tinubu and his loyal ally Nyesom Wike, has poured salt on our wounds. How? They rammed through an illegal decision with a flimsy voice vote—yes, a voice vote!—to back an unconstitutional power grab. Curious yet? Stick with me, because this is a story of betrayal you won’t believe.

The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) isn’t some dusty rulebook—it’s the backbone of our democracy. It demands that a state of emergency proclamation be approved by a two-thirds majority of every single member of the Senate and House of Representatives. Picture this: a room full of lawmakers, each one’s vote carrying the weight of millions of Nigerians. Now, tell me—how do you count a two-thirds majority with a lazy chorus of “Ayes” and “Nays”? You can’t. It’s impossible. The law insists on a proper roll call—each name checked, each “Yes” or “No” recorded for history to judge. So why didn’t it happen? Who’s pulling the strings to dodge this sacred process?

Enter President Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, the masterminds behind this shameless charade. Wike, with his iron grip on Rivers State, has been itching to tighten his control, and Tinubu—ever the political puppeteer—seems all too happy to oblige. Together, they’ve twisted the National Assembly into a rubber stamp, bypassing the transparency and accountability we deserve. A voice vote? For something as monumental as an emergency proclamation? It’s not just a slap in the face—it’s a deliberate middle finger to every Nigerian who believes in fairness. What were they hiding? Why the rush to sweep this under the rug?

Think about it: a two-thirds majority isn’t a suggestion—it’s a hard line, etched into our Constitution for a reason. It’s meant to protect us from reckless power plays. Yet here we are, watching Tinubu and Wike orchestrate a sham vote that mocks the very idea of due process. The Senate Standing Orders and House Rules—crafted to keep our lawmakers honest—were tossed aside like trash. And for what? To prop up Wike’s ambitions in Rivers State while Tinubu plays kingmaker? The more you dig, the uglier it gets.

This isn’t just a procedural hiccup—it’s a flashing red warning. If Tinubu and Wike can strong-arm the National Assembly into bending the rules today, what’s next? A voice vote to strip away your rights? A quick shout to silence dissent? The precedent they’ve set is a loaded gun pointed at the heart of our democracy. And the lawmakers—those who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution—let it happen. Were they pressured? Bribed? Or just too spineless to stand up to the president and his enforcer?

Here’s the kicker: this didn’t have to happen. The Constitution is crystal clear. The process is laid out in black and white. Yet Tinubu and Wike chose to gamble with Nigeria’s soul, and the National Assembly rolled the dice right along with them. It’s heartbreaking. It’s infuriating. And it leaves us with a chilling question: If the law doesn’t anchor our leaders anymore, what’s left to stop them from running roughshod over us all? We’re teetering on the edge, and I can’t help but wonder—what’s their next

move? -PO