Politics

The suppression of opposition undermines the fundamental tenets of democracy by stifling dissent, eroding public trust in institutions, and limiting voter choice. When the judiciary and politicians collaborate, wittingly or unwittingly, to silence alternative voices, accountability suffers and democratic norms weaken. As seen during the Shagari era, these practices can precipitate political crises, disenfranchise citizens, and pave the way for authoritarian interventions, such as military coups.

When a political party becomes a safe haven for every power-seeker and opportunistic defector, when individuals lacking genuine conviction flock like moths to the allure of authority, disaster is inevitable. Any organization founded on greed and self-interest is destined to crumble. The evidence is everywhere—politicians from all sides are converging on the ruling party. Governors, senators, and former adversaries now speak with a united voice. Their motivations are not rooted in patriotism or shared beliefs, but rather in personal gain. Their alignment with the APC is not a matter of ideology; it is a calculated move to maintain influence in the corridors where national resources are distributed.

Supportive media coverage can inadvertently validate disparaging remarks or aggressive criticism directed at political adversaries. When platforms, particularly those in bed with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), provide extensive airtime to statements that undermine opposition party unity or target specific individuals, the result may be an erosion of internal cohesion. In the case of the PDP, frequent media reporting on internal disagreements—particularly those involving high-profile figures like Wike -- can contribute to perceptions of division and crisis, regardless of the underlying realities. 

Once the building was surrounded and the 106 mm gun positioned in support, Danjuma came under pressure from the boys on the ground to proceed with the operation. There were fears, based on myths acquired in the Congo, that General Ironsi was assisted by "juju" and that he could disappear at anytime using his "crocodile". Junior officers who had come to join the party urged immediate attack, some even suggesting a repeat performance of the Nzeogwu assault on the Nassarawa Lodge in Kaduna in January. They wanted the 106 mm weapon used to bring down the complex. Danjuma resisted the pressure. 

These days it is commonly discussed at virtually every political forum of the need to draft former President Goodluck...

Let us be brutally honest, Shettima was not selected for his capacity to summon electoral miracles at the polls. He was a deliberate and calculated choice a necessary stabilizing figure deployed at a time of religious, regional, and political volatility. His emergence on the APC ticket was far more about neutralizing threats and preserving the coalition, than about appealing to mass voters.