By Musa Bakare
In every democratic cycle, the real test of institutions does not always come from credible opposition or constructive criticism. More often, it comes from loud, bitter voices driven by grievance, jealousy, and raw vindictiveness rather than principle.
Nigeria has clearly entered one of such moments.
The recent outbursts against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman reveal far more about the accusers than the institution they are desperately trying to discredit. This is not about democracy. It is about desperation.
At the center of this noise is former Senate President, retired General David Mark, a man whose political and military antecedents raise serious questions about the moral authority of his present posturing.
It is both ironic and deeply troubling that an individual so closely linked with Nigeria’s era of military impunity now seeks to wrap himself in the garb of democratic virtue. The contradiction is not just glaring, it is offensive.
Given his history, it is baffling that any serious political party would not only admit him but elevate him to a leadership position. That decision alone says everything about the credibility crisis within that party.
Historical accounts, including those attributed to Professor Omo Omoruyi, have long painted a disturbing picture of the mindset that governed actors of that era. Allegations of threats against Chief MKO Abiola, the undisputed winner of June 12, Nigeria’s freest and fairest election, are not footnotes that can be conveniently erased. They are stains that history refuses to wash away.
Nigerians remember. And they have chosen not to forget.
Yet, in a breathtaking display of political hypocrisy, the same figure now attempts to liken a democratically elected government to the very dictatorship he once served. That comparison is not only dishonest, it is an insult to Nigerians who suffered under the brutal weight of military rule, particularly during the Abacha years, in which David Mark was not a spectator but an active participant.
Equally alarming is the conduct of his faction within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Their call for the removal of the INEC Chairman and their reckless threat to escalate domestic political grievances to foreign governments is not just misguided, it is patently unpatriotic.
Nigeria is not a protectorate. It is a sovereign nation.
The idea that INEC, a constitutionally established body should be dragged before foreign powers is both disgraceful and dangerous. It undermines national sovereignty and exposes a troubling lack of faith in Nigeria’s own institutions.
Democracy does not function on tantrums. It runs on law.
Electoral disputes, internal party crises, and institutional disagreements are not unique to Nigeria. What defines a serious democracy is not the absence of conflict, but the discipline to resolve such conflicts within the legal framework. That is what responsible actors do. That is what patriots do.
Anything less is political immaturity.
If the aggrieved faction truly believes in its claims, the courts are open. The judiciary remains the final arbiter, and with accelerated hearings already granted, there is no excuse for theatrics. Running to foreign entities instead of the courtroom only exposes a lack of confidence in their own case.
One is also reminded of David Mark’s infamous elitist disposition during his time as military Communications Minister, when he was widely quoted as suggesting that telephone was not meant for poor Nigerians.
That mindset has not aged well, and it certainly does not belong in a modern democracy. Only the politically naïve will ignore these patterns.
INEC, for its part, must remain unmoved. Its loyalty is not to politicians, factions, or noise, it is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It must resist every attempt, subtle or aggressive, to drag it into partisan warfare.
Democracy is not sustained by shouting, threats, or foreign appeals. It is sustained by strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, and the discipline of leaders to play by the rules.
Those who seek power must first show respect for the system that grants it.
Nigeria’s democracy is not perfect, but it is resilient. It has survived far worse than this current wave of political desperation.
INEC must stay focused. It must stay firm. And above all, it must stay the course.
– Musa Asiru Bakare, political analyst, writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.
