This week in Nigeria, the stress between political survival and systemic reforms reached fever pitch. From the rejection of a invoice that may have constitutionally rotated the presidency among the many nation’s six zones to JAMB’s uncommon act of institutional accountability after a disastrous UTME cycle, Nigeria appeared caught between the impulse to modernise and the gravitational pull of dysfunction.
The PDP teeters on the sting of collapse as inner fractures deepen. The Labour Party’s inner battle escalated into open threats. But amidst the chaos, the Home handed a invoice proposing obligatory voting, and the UK Excessive Commissioner cheered Tinubu’s {economic} reforms as a sign of renewed investor confidence. However with all these unfolding, the image that emerges is of a democracy in disrepair, trying to find each legitimacy and course.
1. Reps Reject Invoice to Rotate Presidency Amongst Zones
The Home of Representatives rejected a constitutional invoice mandating rotational presidency, arguing it will entrench ethnic rivalry and threaten merit-based management throughout Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Why it Issues:
The rejection reveals deep-seated discomfort amongst Nigeria’s elite with institutionalising fairness. By refusing to codify rotation, lawmakers have reaffirmed the established order the place political energy stays accessible solely to these with entrenched affect. It additionally alerts that marginalised zones might proceed to depend on casual get together preparations reasonably than constitutional ensures for illustration.
2. PDP in ICU, Could Collapse Earlier than 2027 — Suswam
Senator Gabriel Suswam warned the PDP might not survive till 2027, citing management failure, inner battle, and rising defections weakening its function as a reputable opposition pressure.
Why it Issues:
The PDP’s potential collapse would upend Nigeria’s political panorama and weaken democratic checks and balances. And not using a robust opposition, the ruling APC faces much less scrutiny, and the voters is disadvantaged of significant alternate options. The disaster additionally displays broader institutional decay throughout political events, the place ideology takes a backseat to non-public ambition and factional loyalty.
3. JAMB Accepts Blame, Orders Retake for 380,000 UTME Candidates
In an unprecedented second of contrition, JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede admitted to extreme failures within the 2025 UTME. Almost 380,000 college students will retake the examination after glitches and scoring errors have been uncovered. Oloyede wept publicly, apologising for dashing the hopes of younger Nigerians.
Why it Issues:
JAMB’s accountability, although commendable, exposes deeper structural points in Nigeria’s training system, mainly the fragility of digital infrastructure and lack of contingency planning. The integrity of nationwide examinations is foundational to belief in public establishments. This uncommon act of duty might be a turning level if backed by lasting reform.
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4. Tinubu’s Reforms Are Working, Says UK Envoy
UK Excessive Commissioner Richard Montgomery praised Tinubu’s {economic} reforms, highlighting improved reserves and investor confidence, whereas acknowledging present hardship for Nigerians.
Why it Issues:
Montgomery’s remarks might increase worldwide investor sentiment however are unlikely to assuage home discontent. With inflation nonetheless excessive and hardship unrelenting, Nigerians stay sceptical of reforms that appear to profit elites greater than atypical residents. The feedback mirror a rising divergence between macroeconomic indicators and lived realities.
5. Reps Advances Invoice for Obligatory Voting
The Home of Representatives handed a second studying of a invoice proposing obligatory voting in all elections. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas argued the invoice would revive civic engagement and improve electoral legitimacy. Whereas praised by some lawmakers, others questioned its feasibility and ethics, citing logistical and safety challenges.
Why it Issues:
If enacted, the regulation may mark a dramatic shift in Nigeria’s democratic participation. Nevertheless, with out huge funding in electoral infrastructure and civic training, such laws dangers being symbolic reasonably than transformative. Mandating voting with out guaranteeing voters’ security and entry might deepen disillusionment reasonably than resolve it.
6. Labour Party Disaster Deepens as Usman Challenges Abure
Caretaker chairperson Nenadi Usman known as Julius Abure’s bluff after he threatened to reveal key figures like Peter Obi and Alex Otti. She demanded he reveal his proof, accusing him of hypocrisy and noting he’s beneath police investigation. Usman framed the interior disaster as a menace to Nigeria’s democratic opposition.
Why it Issues:
The Labour Party’s inner implosion mirrors the PDP’s troubles, suggesting a wider collapse of credible opposition in Nigeria. The get together’s speedy descent from 2023 frontrunner to factional battlefield undermines public religion in political alternate options. As opposition events implode, the APC faces an more and more hollowed-out political area.
Conclusion:
Nigeria’s democracy shouldn’t be dying, however it’s gasping for air. The week’s occasions laid naked the frailty of its establishments. Efforts to legislate equity, construct opposition, and restore religion in governance are stumbling beneath the burden of ego, legacy wounds, and administrative failure.
Reforms might promise renewal, however with out belief, inclusion, and accountability, they danger changing into simply one other layer of elite self-preservation.
Whereas JAMB’s uncommon accountability and the Reps’ civic engagement efforts sign hope, political events are degenerating into arenas of self-preservation and betrayal.
Nigerians are watching, disillusioned however not disengaged. What stays to be seen is whether or not our leaders will heed the warning indicators or proceed sleepwalking by means of disaster.
