President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to suspend the democratically elected leadership of Rivers State and replace them with an unelected retired military official goes beyond what is constitutionally permitted. Despite having the authority under certain circumstances to declare a state of emergency anywhere in the nation, this action appears clearly unconstitutional. This move adds another chapter to a series of occasions where Tinubu has adopted practices he previously criticized and opposed during his time out of federal office.
For instance, he harshly criticized Goodluck Jonathan’s elimination of fuel subsidies in 2012. His written and spoken statements echoed the frustration felt by many people. He also contributed funds to support a national protest movement that shook the nation so profoundly that Jonathan had to reconsider his intentions.
Nevertheless, one of President Tinubu's initial actions after taking office in May 2023 was to declare the elimination of fuel subsidies, which has had severe economic and social consequences. This move has worsened poverty levels, eradicated the middle class, and torn apart the societal structure within Nigeria.
Once more, when Olusegun Obasanjo unlawfully suspended Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State along with several state lawmakers in May 2004, and named General Chris Ali as the state’s single administrator, Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu from Lagos accurately described this action as "unlawful."
It is both regrettable and unlawful," he stated. "We must work to discourage this behavior. Setting such a precedent could be harmful. Regarding what the nation’s president has undertaken, I hope it does not endure.
Indeed, when Goodluck Jonathan announced states of emergency in the three northeast Nigerian states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa but chose not to remove the elected officials from their positions, an action I praised in my column dated May 25, 2013, entitled "The Malcolm Xian Logic in Jonathan’s Praiseworthy Boko Haram Offensive," Tinubu criticized this move as inappropriate central government intervention.
What do you think about the corps member who insulted the president and referred to Lagos as having an unpleasant odor? During Eid al-Fitr, Tinubu donated 7,000 sacks of rice to Zamfara APC. The Rivers APC has endorsed Tinubu’s state of emergency, calling it 'the best decision'.The governor of a Nigerian state does not serve as the primary security official," he stated. "Accusing the governors, who have essentially been stripped of power, for the poor functioning of the central government—which oversees all these security organizations—reveals either a lack of understanding or an intent to cause trouble.
He argued that Jonathan's move "aims to restrict or could potentially completely undermine the constitutional duties of governors and other elected officials representing the public," adding that such an approach would likely prove "detrimental over time."
When presented with the chance to put into practice the ideals he advocated for while lacking federal authority, he has transformed into someone who is barely distinguishable from—and often even more problematic than—the very people he once criticized.
Now, Tinubu enacts the very policies he formerly criticized and has transformed into the kind of person he once denounced. This illustrates the proverbial insight frequently credited to historians Ariel or Will Durant: "The rebel of one era often becomes the ruler of another." In Tinubu’s instance, he was once the rebel but has since assumed the role of an authority figure many view critically.
Why do many individuals who first dedicated significant symbolic and political resources to opposing authority or oppression ultimately end up becoming the kind of oppressors they originally fought against? How is it that passionate advocates for change frequently transform into what they once opposed upon gaining power?
Historical evidence demonstrates that resisting oppression can lead to the emergence of new forms of tyranny. Those who critique warfare or misconduct often resort to similar tactics once they gain positions of authority.
This goes deeper than just Tinubu as an individual, considering he likely didn’t have strong principles from the start. His opposition to previous oppressive policies might have been more about strategic calculation than genuine conviction.
Yet, why do individuals who were formerly genuine adversaries so often end up becoming what they once vehemently opposed? Scholars in psychology, philosophy, and political theory have extensively examined this pattern for many years.
In an earlier article I composed (which was subsequently republished two times) discussing the dynamics of power, I highlighted that "individuals affected by power tend to exhibit neurological traits akin to those with traumatic brain injuries." The piece suggested that temporary cognitive impairment due to positional authority might explain these characteristics.
Philosophers have struggled with the irony of lofty principles transforming into tyranny. For instance, Friedrich Nietzsche cautioned against the moral hazards inherent in waging war against evil excessively. He stated, "One must be careful when battling monsters so as not to turn into one oneself," further noting, "When you stare deeply into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you."
Nietzsche’s analogy highlights how the quest for power or justice can distort individuals' moral integrity. Those who seek to overthrow a "monster" (such as a dictator or an unfair system) might end up adopting the same tactics and mentality as their adversary.
His idea of the "will to power" implies that the urge to gain authority can surpass other ethical boundaries, leading people to justify behaviors aimed at achieving supremacy when this desire for power takes over.
Michel Foucault, a French philosopher, offers another perspective from which we can understand how individuals adopt the techniques and mentalities of the systems of authority they previously opposed.
He stated, "Power is omnipresent; not because it encompasses all things, but because it originates from every corner." This implies that nobody stands entirely beyond the realm of power dynamics—no matter how harshly some may denounce even the harshest governments, they still function within an intricate web of power. When these critics gain authority, he noted, they frequently recreate the same power structures they previously condemned, despite alterations in their discourse.
The distinction between an oppressor and a liberator can become unclear; these roles might interchange, yet the essence stays constant. According to Foucault, systems of power usually sustain themselves irrespective of who holds authority, unless deliberate actions are taken to deconstruct those foundational frameworks.
To put it differently, a shift in leadership without altering what Foucault refers to as the "microphysics of power" will probably result in similarly oppressive consequences. The new leader ends up being "the same as the old one," since the dynamics of power guide them into fulfilling this role.
This widely recognized cycle of "criticizing from outside, then implementing once in power" is so common that it nearly appears to be an unbreakable rule of politics. Keeping this in mind can help us better understand the statements made by present "opposition" figures who appear sympathetic to public concerns and movements.
Similar to Tinubu, contemporary critics of excessive executive authority might expand their own executive capabilities when given the chance.
Similar to Tinubu, they will have narratives prepared both for themselves and the general populace to rationalize this shift in position: the current scenario is distinct; their present actions serve a higher purpose; their earlier viewpoint was grounded in insufficient data, among others. Certainly, there are instances when conditions genuinely evolve, justifying such changes.
However, once everything has settled down, the result appears strikingly similar. Pro-democracy advocates transform into a gathering of tyrants and apologists for oppression; the former harsh critics and defenders of human rights who condemned such acts now justify them; the one-time emancipator who vehemently opposed oppressors now seems preoccupied solely with satisfying their own needs. As the ancient Roman statesman Cicero famously stated, "It is simpler to find fault than to improve upon things."
Luckily, this cycle does not have to repeat inevitably. Numerous scholars propose checks and balances, institutional constraints, and moral fortitude as remedies; however, these solutions appear to fall short as well.
In recent years, particularly over the past few days, Nigeria’s National Assembly has proven incapable of checking or balancing the excesses of the executive branch. Instead, it acts as an obedient appendage of Aso Rock. The few honorable and principled members within struggle to be heard above the overwhelming noise created by the dominant group—rapacious, unscrupulous individuals motivated solely by personal gain. Unfortunately, the situation in the judiciary is even more disheartening.
It can be tempting to feel disheartened and give up when faced with challenges. Personally, I've experienced this sentiment numerous occasions. However, maintaining control requires persistent oversight. As philosopher Hannah Arendt noted, continuous watchfulness along with a dedication to diversity and legal frameworks stops insurgents from transforming into oppressors.
Each of us needs to contribute to holding those in authority accountable, even if we're uncertain whether we could perform better ourselves. Currently, the sole safeguard against the gradual slide into despotism is the democratic uprising of the populace.
READ MORE: 'The Best Decision' – Rivers APC Supports State of Emergency for Tinubu
Stay updated with the latest news from Tribune Online in real time! Connect with us on WhatsApp for instant access to breaking news, special reports, exclusive interviews, and additional content. Subscribe to our WhatsApp channel today!
Tags: rebelTinubu Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
0 Comments