By Jude Opara
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) Shehu Gabam, has said it would be extremely difficult for President Bola Tinubu to get re-election due to his unpopular and anti-masses policies.
Mr Gabam stated this during an interview on Inside Sources with Loalu Akande on Channels TV monitored in Abuja.
According to Mr Gabam, some of the unpopular policies of the Tinubu administration include the sudden removal of the petrol subsidy, the unification of forex rates, the electricity tariff hike, and the telecoms tariff hike, among others.
He also said the president must rejig his cabinet and review of some of his policies if he really wants to leave a legacy for the country.
The SDP chair said: “He [Tinubu] needs to review some of his policies, he needs to rejig his cabinet if he wants to leave a legacy that by two years. And I don’t see him surviving another election with the same kind of policies going on.”
Mr Gabam noted that with less than two years in office, the agitations against the Tinubu government were similar to those against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He dismissed the possibility of the president winning the election through rigging or voter inducement.
“Protests against Jonathan started two years [into his administration], and he couldn’t survive it.
“Elections are not do-or-die affairs. That’s what we must understand. The right of the citizenry to choose leaders in a free, transparent manner is sacrosanct and remains one of the most vital angles of a true democratic dispensation.
“By choosing and or changing leaders through the ballot box, the vote necessary is not sufficient to guarantee a true flourishing democratic culture,” he added.
According to him, one of the most important determinants of a thriving democracy is the quality of institutions capable of guaranteeing rights, including property rights, and checking the brazen abuse of power.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the convener and founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said the conference was convened to chart a vision for a democracy that is genuine, strong and inclusive.
“As many of us know, Nigeria’s democratic journey, though spanning 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, is beset by structural and functional flaws. These range from electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, and weakened governance structures to pervasive corruption and a concerning erosion of public trust.
“Despite decades of democratic practice, the realities faced by Nigerians today often reflect disillusionment rather than hope. The goal of this conference, therefore, is to reignite hope, rebuild trust, and lay out a road map toward a strengthened democratic system that serves all Nigerians with integrity and accountability,” he said.
Igbuzor said the conference anticipates several important outcomes which will include; Increased Public Awareness and Engagement: Through the insights and knowledge shared to enhance public understanding of the critical need for democratic reform.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the conference include; Peter Obi, former governors; Victor Ubong Attah, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Waziri Tambuwa and Emeka Ihedioha. Also former Ministers such as; Bolaji Abdullahi and Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba. Also past Senators; Ben Obi, Abiodu Olujimi as well as many others.
