Nigeria Must Return To Fundamental Principles Governing Civilised Society — Bode George

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on Wednesday stated that, with Nigeria’s democracy under scrutiny, it has become necessary for the country to return to the foundational principles that govern a civilised society.

George, in a statement signed by him and made available to journalists, said that one of the most enduring of such principles is embodied in the Magna Carta—the Great Charter of 1215—which established a truth that has shaped democratic systems across centuries.

He maintained that one of these principles is that no authority is above the law, saying: “This principle is not merely historical; it is the bedrock upon which modern democratic governance rests.”

The elder statesman added that this principle highlights that a functioning democracy depends on the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the independence of institutions.

George pointed out that where the rule of law is weakened, democracy itself is placed at risk.

He stressed that the right of opposition voices to organise, speak, and contest power is not a privilege granted by those in authority, but a constitutional necessity. “To suppress dissent or undermine opposition structures is to erode the very framework that legitimises governance,” the statement read.

George explained that the enduring lesson of the Magna Carta is clear, stating that power must be restrained by law, authority must be accountable, and leadership must be subject to constitutional limits.

“Even the sovereign who once ruled England without restraint was compelled to accept that his authority had boundaries. In the same spirit, no modern president, however powerful, can stand above the law or act outside the constitutional order.

“Democracy requires balance. A healthy political system is not defined by uniform agreement but by structured disagreement. Opposition is not an enemy of the state; it is a pillar of democratic stability.”

George added that when opposition is silenced, accountability diminishes, governance weakens, and public trust erodes.

He explained that calling for a return to the fundamental principles that govern society is not merely a political matter, but a necessity for national progress.

“Nations endure not because of the strength of individuals, but because of the strength of their institutions and the integrity of their laws.

“To preserve democracy is to uphold fairness over force, law over power, and principle over expediency. In moments such as this, when the health of a nation’s democracy is under scrutiny, it becomes necessary to return to the foundational principles that govern civilised societies,” George insisted.

End.