Laws become weapons: A warning to the National Assembly

2026-03-17 - 23:33

In every democracy, the strength of the system is measured not by the comfort of those in power but by the freedom allowed to those outside it. The opposition is not an inconvenience to democracy; it is its oxygen. When the space for opposition begins to shrink, democracy itself begins to suffocate. Recent legislative actions by the National Assembly have raised serious concerns among observers of Nigeria’s democratic journey. The passage of laws that appear to tighten the political space — including provisions affecting party formation and electoral processes — signals a troubling direction. Even more striking is the speed with which these bills have been assented to. One of the most disturbing contradictions lies in the apparent imbalance between political offences and electoral crimes. At a time when vote-buying continues to undermine the credibility of elections across the country, the punishment attached to it appears relatively mild when compared with penalties attached to other political activities. When the legal framework appears harsher on political organisation than on electoral corruption, citizens are bound to ask difficult questions about priorities. Democracy thrives on competition. Political parties are the vehicles through which ideas are contested, policies are debated, and leadership is challenged. To restrict the political space in ways that make it increasingly difficult for opposition forces to organise or participate effectively risks weakening the very democratic structure the Constitution seeks to protect. History teaches a simple lesson: laws made to silence opponents today may one day be used against their authors tomorrow. Many members of the National Assembly may believe that current political realities favour their positions. Power often creates the illusion of permanence. But politics is cyclical. Alliances change. Governments change. Majorities become minorities. The laws enacted today will remain long after the present occupants of power have left the stage. When that moment comes, those who once celebrated restrictive legislation may find themselves seeking the very freedoms they helped to curtail. Nigeria’s democratic journey has been hard-fought. It emerged from decades of military rule through the sacrifices of citizens who believed in pluralism, political participation, and the right to dissent. The framers of our democratic order understood that the presence of opposition is not a threat to governance but a safeguard against authoritarian tendencies. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself is a product of that democratic struggle. His political history is deeply intertwined with resistance to authoritarian rule and the defence of democratic freedoms during the difficult years following the annulment of the June 12 election. It would therefore be a profound irony if the democratic space that once allowed his own political rise were to be narrowed under his administration. For this reason, it is important to remind both the National Assembly and the Presidency that democracy must be nurtured, not managed into submission. Strong governments do not fear opposition; they welcome it. They understand that criticism strengthens governance, that alternative voices sharpen public policy, and that open political competition enhances legitimacy. Suppressing opposition may create temporary political comfort, but it weakens the long-term stability of the system. Posterity has a long memory. History records not only those who wield power, but also how they used it. Legislators who today vote for restrictive political laws must remember that their names will remain attached to those decisions long after the present political moment has passed. The National Assembly must therefore reflect carefully on the broader implications of its actions. Laws should strengthen democracy, not narrow it. Electoral reforms should focus on eliminating vote-buying, electoral manipulation, and systemic corruption — the real threats to the integrity of elections. Nigeria needs more political participation, not less. It needs stronger institutions, not tighter political restrictions. It needs confidence in democratic competition, not fear of it. Democracy cannot flourish where opposition is weakened. The message to our lawmakers is simple: the laws you make today may serve your interests now, but they will govern a future in which you may not be in power. And when that future arrives, the question history will ask is whether you strengthened Nigeria’s democracy — or quietly helped to diminish it. •Dr Ofoye, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos