…Says he’s betraying democratic principles

The U.S. chapter of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO USA, has picked holes in President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, describing it as a “self-congratulatory, revisionist monologue steeped in hypocrisy, selective memory, and misinformation.”

NADECO USA, in a statement by its President, Dr Lloyd Ukwu, criticized the President for what it called a failure to address the pressing democratic and governance challenges facing Nigeria.

The group, which fought for restoration of civil rule in Nigeria, said Tinubu’s speech was “wrapped in celebratory rhetoric but devoid of concrete plans to deepen democracy or uplift suffering Nigerians.”

 Electoral reform Ignored

NADECO accused the President of deliberately omitting electoral reform from his address—despite widespread public demand for transparency and fairness in elections. The group called for the real-time electronic transmission of election results, easier access to voter cards, and depoliticization of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

 Rivers State crisis and Rule of Law

Highlighting the political crisis in Rivers State, NADECO condemned what it called federal interference that has “undermined democratic institutions at the state level,” alleging that the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is being sidelined in favour of a federally-backed “military sole administrator.”

The coalition also expressed alarm at what it sees as a declining respect for the rule of law and judicial independence in Nigeria, accusing Tinubu’s administration of selectively using the judiciary for political ends.

 Economic and security failures

NADECO criticized the administration’s economic narrative, calling claims of GDP growth and naira stabilization “fiction detached from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.” They pointed to rising inflation, food insecurity, and widespread unemployment as evidence of failed economic policy.

On national security, the group criticised Tinubu for offering “tokenistic solutions” rather than concrete strategies to address kidnappings, banditry, and insurgency.

 One-Party State

Tinubu’s insistence that Nigeria is not headed toward a one-party state was dismissed by NADECO as empty rhetoric. It cited the harassment of opposition figures, selective prosecution, and inducement of defections to the ruling party as signs of democratic erosion.

The group also decried what it sees as sectional favoritism in national appointments and honours, notably the exclusion of Chief Ralph Obioha, a founding NADECO leader, from Democracy Day recognitions.

 Not democracy we fought for

“This is not the democracy we fought for,” NADECO declared, accusing Tinubu of suppressing the very ideals June 12 represents. The group called for comprehensive electoral reforms, genuine political pluralism, security sector overhaul, and national reconciliation that honors all democratic heroes, not just political allies.

“Tinubu has failed the integrity test,” the statement concluded. “And the Nigerian people are watching.”