Emergency rule: ‘We don’t have democracy anymore’ — Pat Utomi slams NASS
Professor Pat Utomi has blasted the National Assembly for endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State, saying Nigeria does not have democracy anymore.
The professor of political economy said the Senate and House of Representatives’ endorsement was an insult to Nigerians.
Recall that President Tinubu recently declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, due to the unresolved political crisis in the state.
However, despite the barrage of criticisms against the development from political analysts, lawyers and activists across the country, the National Assembly approved the declaration unanimously on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, March 21, 2025, Prof Utomi said the lawmakers murdered democracy, adding that the National Assembly has been consistent in insulting Nigerians.
“Democracy was murdered in Nigeria yesterday. I cannot publicly say I come from a country that operates democracy, it’s not a democracy. Even the manner of it is so disdainful of the sensitivity of the Nigerian people. To do what they did yesterday was an insult to the Nigerian people. The National Assembly has become consistent in insulting the Nigerian people. We do not have a democracy anymore,” he said.
Prof Utomi said most of the current National Assembly members were hiding when people like him fought for democracy.
He also faulted the lawmakers’ method of voting on the issue and the claim that there was no single dissenting voice during the voice vote.
Prof Utomi said he had seen a situation when the lawmakers said nays, and the speaker said the ayes have it.
He added that Nigerian leaders are destroying the country’s institutions, saying it’s a tragedy that Nigeria has been brought to a situation where the world now laughs at the country.
