A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of abandoning governance for political theatrics, warning that Nigeria is drifting toward authoritarianism.

Speaking in Lagos on Monday, George said the country’s democracy is under threat, citing Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials.

He condemned the move as unconstitutional, arguing that Rivers had no major security crisis to justify emergency rule. George also criticised Tinubu’s appointment of officials under the emergency, describing it as a power grab aimed at bypassing accountability.

George faulted the Senate for endorsing the emergency without meeting the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority and reminded Tinubu of his 2013 criticism of such measures.

He warned that Nigeria is on a dangerous path toward self-destruction unless true democratic principles are upheld.