#ThursdayTalks Recap: Suspended Voices, Unshaken Resolve

“Fear is the weapon of the state, but it only works when we stand alone. If we all rise together, there aren’t enough bullets or prisons to stop us.”

Chidi Odinkalu
(Lawyer & Human Rights Activist)

Dear Active Citizen,

If elected officials can be suspended at will and opposition parties are too weak to resist, then who truly holds power in Nigeria’s democracy? This was the hard question at the center of this evening’s #ThursdayTalks discussion, where we examined “Suspended Voices, Silenced Mandates: What Next for Nigeria’s Democracy?”

Moderated by Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun of NewsCentralTV, the conversation brought together Opeyemi Adamolekun (EiE Nigeria), Oluseun Onigbinde (BudgIT), and Chidi Odinkalu (Lawyer & Human Rights Activist) to unpack the disturbing pattern of elected voices being silenced, from Rivers State’s State of Emergency to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Are We Choosing Our Leaders, or Are They Chosen for Us?

Chidi Odinkalu set the tone by emphasizing that popular sovereignty is the foundation of democracy. When governors and legislators are arbitrarily removed, democracy stops being about the people and starts being about political power plays. He warned that Nigeria’s judiciary, manipulated by political actors, is enabling these abuses, and citizens are too afraid to speak up.

Opeyemi Adamolekun took this further, highlighting the collapse of real political opposition in Nigeria. The ruling party has managed to silence dissent not just by force but by ensuring opposition leaders remain docile and inactive. “Nigerians need a rugged and loud opposition,” she asserted, “one that will resist the status quo and challenge the government.”

But what happens when even opposition leaders prioritize personal gain over the fight for democracy? Seun Onigbinde pointed out that many politicians - regardless of party - care more about securing their place at the table than holding power to account. “They are not building a movement; they are looking for access.”

Chidi Odinkalu asked a question that sent a chill through the conversation: Will the 2027 elections be free and fair? The answer? It depends on us. If Nigerians do not insist on accountability, the electoral process could be manipulated long before votes are cast.

A thread running through the discussion was fear. The Nigerian state has long used intimidation to silence critics, but Odinkalu reminded us that fear only works when people feel isolated. “If we all come out en masse, they can’t frighten us. There aren’t enough bullets or prisons for everyone.”

It’s a long-term battle, but democracy only works when citizens choose to fight for it. Take action, call your elected representatives. You can find details of your National Assembly members at www.shineyoureye.org.

If you missed the conversation, the full recording is available here. But this is not just about one discussion—it’s about what happens next. Join us in keeping this conversation alive by following us across our social media platforms and let’s ensure that the voices of the people remain louder than the forces trying to silence them.

Have a great weekend!
The EiE Nigeria Team.