Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has issued a stark warning, declaring that Nigeria is in a state of peril and has dangerously drifted from the democratic path envisioned by its founding fathers. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that the nation now requires an urgent and collective rescue mission.
A Birthday of Reflection, Not Celebration
The Senator representing Sokoto South made these sobering remarks on Saturday, explaining the rationale behind the activities marking his 60th birthday. Instead of a lavish celebration, Tambuwal deliberately chose a path of sober reflection and public dialogue. He declined a "merrymaking event" in favor of a public lecture designed to confront the country's harsh realities.
"It is all about the people of this country. It is all about good governance. It is not about me, it is not about merrymaking. It is about looking for a pathway for our country," Tambuwal emphasized. The event was attended by dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
A Bleak Assessment and a Call for Honest Reckoning
Tambuwal painted a grim picture of Nigeria's current trajectory, asserting that the nation is far from where it was expected to be in its democratic journey. He expressed conviction that the architects of Nigeria's democracy, both living and deceased, would be deeply disappointed with the present state of affairs.
"Whether we like it or not, where we are today is unfortunate. This is not where we expected to be. Those who laid the foundation for this democracy... even in their graves are not happy with the current situation in Nigeria," he stated.
The senator argued that the first step towards recovery is a frank national admission that the current system of governance is fundamentally flawed. He stressed that progress is impossible without this collective acknowledgment.
"The only way out of it is for all of us to agree that there is something fundamentally wrong with what we are doing and having as government in Nigeria today. Therefore we must resolve to work together and bail out the country. Our country is in peril and we are looking for salvation," Tambuwal declared.
Citizen Responsibility Beyond Partisanship
Tambuwal insisted that the task of national renewal cannot be left to politicians and political parties alone. He called on every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation, to accept shared responsibility for correcting the nation's course.
"And it is a collective process. It is not about partisanship. It is not about political parties alone but we must all be involved. Why? Because we are involved as citizens of this country. And we have nowhere to go to. And we have nowhere to run to," he urged.
He also echoed concerns about a recurring cycle of poor leadership, referencing political economist Pat Utomi's warnings about individuals capturing public offices and perpetuating ineffective governance by bringing in successors worse than themselves.
Reflecting on his personal milestone, Tambuwal said turning 60 had reinforced his commitment to democratic values and national service. "I have attained this age and therefore I must also commit myself to what I had always believed in... I recommit myself to working along with every Nigerian who believe in finding and enthroning good democratic governance for this country," he vowed, acknowledging the risks involved.
The senator's alarm joins a growing chorus of concern about Nigeria's direction. His comments came shortly after former presidential candidate Peter Obi also decried the nation's worsening insecurity and governance failures, describing a period marked by chaos, grief, and a collapse of public confidence.
