Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to beware of sycophancy and actively discourage any form of one-party dominance and authoritarianism during his time in office.
Speaking during the My Take segment of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television on Friday, Akande cautioned the president to remain vigilant against political sycophancy that could erode his democratic legacy.
“What’s left for President Tinubu to do is to finish the job while he has two more years before going back to the electorates,” Akande stated pointedly. He stressed that the president must ensure that his administration does not become a platform for undemocratic practices or the marginalization of alternative voices in the political space.
“Mr. President, please ensure that under your watch, any form of authoritarianism or deprivation of the democratic dividends is discouraged, averted, and renounced,” he said.
Akande particularly praised Tinubu’s recent public denunciation of one-party ascendancy in Nigeria, describing it as a commendable move. However, he added that it is not enough to simply speak against the trend; active resistance is required.
“Your denunciation yesterday of one-party ascendency in Nigeria… now, you must hold yourself vigilant against the whispers and often loud noises of sycophancy which is capable of rubbishing your own democratic credentials,” he warned.
He further advised President Tinubu to put an end to what he described as an embarrassing pattern among members of his cabinet—renaming public institutions and projects after the president. According to Akande, this trend smacks of self-glorification and undermines the collective spirit of governance and national development.
Speaking of the emergency rule in Rivers, Akande said “The declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State is a political overreach. That’s not democratic and you can still redeem yourself by rescinding that decision in good time.”
As Nigeria continues to navigate its democratic journey, Akande’s remarks serve as both a warning and a roadmap, urging President Tinubu to safeguard the institutions and principles that ensure the nation’s democracy remains inclusive, accountable, and resilient.
