March 26, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has raised concerns over Nigeria’s democratic structure, warning that the country is gradually slipping into lawlessness and anarchy due to widespread disregard for the rule of law.
Ewhrudjakpo made the assertion on Wednesday when a delegation from the Law Faculty of Niger Delta University (NDU), led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Allen Agih, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Doubara Atasi, the deputy governor argued that Nigeria is not truly democratic but merely “wearing the toga of democracy.”
He maintained that without adherence to the rule of law, the foundation of democracy remains nonexistent.
“If the current trend of flagrant abuse of political power continues unchecked, the country will slide into complete anarchy and chaos,” he warned.
Ewhrudjakpo lamented that Nigeria’s greatest challenge is the failure of those in power to prioritize national development over personal gains.
He cited the late former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, for his contributions to healthcare and democracy in Africa and expressed regret that deliberate efforts were being made to undermine democracy in Nigeria.
However, he commended industrialist Aliko Dangote and a few other philanthropists for their efforts in giving back to society, particularly through free healthcare initiatives.
He stated, “Nobody should be under any illusion that Nigeria is a democratic society. We are merely wearing civilian attire, but there is no true democracy in this country. In a democracy, the rule of law is supreme. Once that is absent, what follows is lawlessness, anarchy, and chaos.
“In our society today, those who have resources do not use them to build the nation. Instead, they exploit the same society that made them successful. Apart from Dangote and a few others, most people do not give back to the system.
“For me, I believe that at this stage of my life, I owe society; society no longer owes me. That is my philosophy. So, whatever sacrifices I can make to uplift society, I will gladly do.”
Ewhrudjakpo thanked the NDU delegation for recognizing his contributions to the university and urged them to extend greater appreciation to Governor Douye Diri, who serves as the institution’s visitor.
Responding to the team’s requests, he assured them that the state government would address the challenges of hostel accommodation and the expansion of the faculty’s e-library before the next accreditation visit by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council for Legal Education.
Earlier, NDU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Allen Agih, lauded the deputy governor’s contributions to the institution, particularly his support for the Faculty of Law. He acknowledged Ewhrudjakpo’s personal sacrifice in lecturing law students despite his busy schedule.
Similarly, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Gogo Otuturu, commended the deputy governor for handling three different law courses and urged the government to address pressing infrastructural challenges such as the construction of a befitting faculty building, hostel facilities, extension of the solarization project, and expansion of the e-library.
The visit was capped with the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation to the deputy governor by Prof. Agih in recognition of his intellectual and sacrificial contributions to the university’s growth.
The NDU delegation included the Head of Department, Private and Property Law, Prof. Felix Eboibi; Head of Department, Jurisprudence Law, Dr. Kelvin Bribena; Professor of Oil and Gas Law, Prof. Damfebo Derri; Faculty Examinations Officer, Dr. Richard Ogbe; Personal Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Emmanuel Amagbe; and Faculty Officer, Mr. Kehinde Slaboh.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
