Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South, has accused President Bola Tinubu of incompetence, saying the current administration is being run like a monarchy rather than a democracy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday night, Abaribe said Tinubu’s government has turned into what he described as a “Kabiyesi” system, where the president is treated as someone who can do no wrong.
According to him, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has the capacity to govern Nigeria better.
“There are many Nigerians who are democrats who can run this country like Peter Obi, and he will be my candidate,” Abaribe said. “The issue is not about one person, but the way the whole government has turned into a Kabiyesi government, where anything the president says must be accepted.”
He argued that good governance thrives on opposing views and open debate, not blind loyalty.
“That’s not how to run a government. You run a government by people challenging your views. Right now, any view that challenges the government is seen as treason,” he stated.
Abaribe also criticised what he described as the involvement of Tinubu’s family in the affairs of government, stressing that Nigeria is a democracy and not a monarchy.
“This is a country, not a monarch. When Peter Obi was governor, did you hear about his children or his wife using state resources? No,” he said. “You don’t put your family in public affairs or allow them to use state resources. It’s never done in a democracy.”
The senator further dismissed claims that he supports the popular pro-Tinubu “on your mandate” chant.
“I don’t think the people standing on the mandate really enjoy it. I have never sung it and I will never sing it,” he said.
He added that during budget presentations at the National Assembly, while lawmakers stand for the national anthem, he remains seated whenever the mandate song is played.
“When they play it, check where I sit. I sit down. I don’t follow them,” Abaribe concluded.
