At a public lecture held yesterday in honor of the late activist Ariyo Dare Atoye, prominent civil rights advocate Deji Adeyanju delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s political system, singling out FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for allegedly compromising the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Adeyanju, visibly emotional as he spoke about his late friend, warned attendees, “Nigeria happened to Ariyo Dare Atoye, may it not happen to you.” He accused Wike of “pocketing the judiciary and INEC,” citing the governor’s alleged influence over the appointment of his cousin as an INEC commissioner and his wife as a Court of Appeal justice.

The activist also claimed that President Bola Tinubu effectively controls all major political parties, including the opposition PDP, Labor Party, and NNPP, rendering Nigeria a de facto one-party state. “What we currently have today is a one-party state because the national chairman of PDP reports to Tinubu, the national chairman of Labor Party reports to Tinubu, the national chairman of NNPP reports to Tinubu, and of course, [APC chairman] Ganduje reports to Tinubu,” Adeyanju asserted.

Calling for sweeping reforms, Adeyanju demanded a truly independent judiciary, electoral commission, and law enforcement system to honor the legacy of the late Ariyo Dare Atoye, who dedicated his life to promoting the rule of law and electoral development in Nigeria. He also urged opposition parties to unite and challenge what he described as President Tinubu’s “ruthless and heartless regime.”

During the lecture, Dr. Sam Amadi, a respected legal scholar, revealed that he had been reliably informed that FCT Minister Wike had instructed senior lawyers to write a petition to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) against him, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, and Okutepa, SAN. This revelation drew a strong reaction from Deji Adeyanju, who blasted Wike for his alleged actions.

The lecture, attended by prominent civil society figures and activists, focused on the need for credible elections and strong institutions in Nigeria. Adeyanju’s remarks and Dr. Amadi’s revelation have reignited the debate on the state of the country’s democracy and the alleged influence of political actors on key institutions, including the legal profession.

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