Policy strategist and Group CEO of Global Investment & Trade Company, Baba Yusuf, has warned that Nigeria’s democratic institutions, healthcare system and economy are under growing strain, describing the ongoing impeachment moves against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a “fight to finish” driven by political interests rather than democratic accountability.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Friday, Yusuf said the crisis in Rivers State reflects how political actors continue to weaponise democratic institutions to achieve personal and factional goals.
“Well, it still remains a tool for the political class to play their game and insist they have to have their way. Like the Professor mentioned, we know where this is coming from. And like I mentioned in today’s episode of my weekly Backpage column in The Nation newspaper, I said this is a game, a fight to finish,” Yusuf said.
He accused Minister Nyesom Wike of adopting an uncompromising posture despite several interventions from President Bola Tinubu, noting that the situation had previously escalated to the suspension of democratic structures in the state.
“Minister Nyesom Wike has taken this very recalcitrant position, despite the several interventions by Mr President, even in his favour. Charles, it got to the point where Mr President had to take the tough decision of suspending democratic institutions in Rivers for six months. So obviously, it is a fight to finish,” he stated.
Yusuf said recent shifts by lawmakers were part of a calculated strategy anchored in constitutional provisions governing succession, warning that the impeachment process could fundamentally alter political power dynamics within Rivers State and beyond.
“If you go and look at the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, Chapter Six, Section 191 provides for the Speaker to take over in the event that the Governor and Deputy Governor are impeached. You can now see the concept of putting forward the names of the Governor and Deputy Governor for impeachment,” he said.
He alleged that factions within the Rivers State House of Assembly were acting in the political interest of the minister, with the aim of installing a loyal successor.
“The Martin Amaewhule group in the House are obviously playing the game of Minister Nyesom Wike. Wike wants to basically upend Fubara and his team and bring his stooge into office by virtue of this impeachment,” Yusuf said.
According to him, the situation could also ignite tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) at both national and sub-national levels.
“That will open a conversation regarding what I call the infestation of the APC by the foray of Fubara and Amaewhule into the APC. What will happen to the power dynamics within the APC at national and sub-national levels, especially with the verbal attack of Wike on the national leadership of the APC?” he asked.
Yusuf noted that the judiciary could still play a stabilising role if it acted independently.
“The Chief Judge of Rivers State will have to do the needful and bring in these seven personalities to look at this. That is one of the possible saving graces for the judiciary to rise above board and save democratic institutions in Rivers. The days ahead will be very interesting,” he said.
Beyond Rivers politics, Yusuf warned that Nigeria’s security challenges have shifted dangerously from state to non-state actors, largely due to poor governance and political complicity.
“While we are diminishing the power of the guns of the military, we should also recognise that the actions of politicians in a so-called democratic sector have opened a new vista of armaments — the guns of militants, political thugs, bandits and terrorists who are now influencing political outcomes in Nigeria,” he said.
“The sad thing is that power has moved from state actors to non-state actors. How politicians deliver governance, and how some of them hobnob with these political thugs and militants, is what has brought us to where we are today — not just in Nigeria, but across the Sahel region,” Yusuf added.
He said improving governance was critical to reversing insecurity.
“The delivery of good governance is crucial in changing this narrative and this reality,” he said.
On the defection of a son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the APC, Yusuf dismissed the development as politically insignificant.
“I think it is symbolism and noise. It is becoming a norm. I don’t think it is fundamental. What matters is what structures this gentleman has. It is just hot air — a newsflash to spice up the weekend,” he said.
Reacting to the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s son, Yusuf said the tragedy exposed deep-rooted failures in Nigeria’s healthcare system that affect both elites and ordinary citizens.
“It is very tragic and sad. My condolences to Lady Chimamanda. But this tragedy reflects thousands and thousands of Nigerians who are dying,” he said.
“Just last week in Kano, a lady died because scissors were left in her stomach during surgery. Over time, these things happen and there are no consequences. That is the sad tragedy of medical practice in Nigeria,” Yusuf added.
He criticised weak regulation and accountability in the medical profession.
“The body that is supposed to oversee negligence and professional malpractice is practically overseen by medical practitioners themselves. There is no outsider, no spread to ensure accountability. These are the gaps in the system, from government and from practitioners,” he said.
Turning to the economy, Yusuf warned of a widening disconnect between macroeconomic optimism and lived realities, particularly in the face of rising poverty.
“At Global Investment and Trade Company, we call it dimensioning the issues — identifying the gap. Yes, the macroeconomic outlook looks good on paper, with projections of 4.4 per cent growth in 2026 and 2027. But the World Bank has been clear that critical structural issues remain,” he said.
He argued that fiscal indiscipline and low growth rates were major obstacles to poverty reduction.
“Four-point-four per cent growth is not what Nigeria needs to get out of poverty in the next two or three years. We need at least seven to eight per cent growth. Anything less will not take us out of the doldrums,” Yusuf said.
He warned that rising poverty, unpaid contractor debts and insecurity posed serious risks as Nigeria heads towards another election cycle.
“We already have over 144 million multidimensionally poor Nigerians — over 60 per cent of the population — and about ₦1.8 trillion in unpaid contractor obligations. Government must redimension fiscal discipline and catalyse production if we want to reach that one-trillion-dollar economy,” he said.
Concluding, Yusuf said Nigeria’s survival depended on addressing insecurity and linking macroeconomic reforms to grassroots realities.
“Deal with insecurity. Be more sensitive to the sensibilities of Nigerians. Focus on catalysing microeconomic performance in connection with the macro. If you focus too much on the macro and forget the micro, you will not achieve consolidation,” he said.
Boluwatife Enome
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