…Chidoka condemned what he described as the “canonisation of misbehaviour”.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre, Chief Osita Chidoka, has warned that Nigeria’s democratic foundation is under serious threat, citing the steady rise of official impunity, unchecked violence, and a weakened justice system as dangerous signs of creeping state failure.
In a sharply worded statement issued on Monday, Chidoka lamented the gradual erosion of the country’s collective restraint since its return to democracy 26 years ago, describing the situation as a brutalisation of the national psyche.
“Official violence and a weakened criminal justice system have brutalised the national psyche. Rebuilding the rule of law cannot wait,” Chidoka said.
He called on Nigeria’s governing institutions, the Presidency, the National Assembly, and the judiciary, to recognise the gravity of the situation, warning that every unpunished assault on uniformed personnel is not a one-off incident but a symptom of state collapse.
“Each unpunished assault on an officer is not an isolated event, but a step further down the path towards state failure,” he said.
Taking aim at the glorification of individuals accused of misconduct, Chidoka condemned what he described as the “canonisation of misbehaviour.”
“If the government cannot punish the offenders, they should not canonise them and, worse still, impose them on our collective psyche as ‘Ambassadors’. It is wrong,” he stated. “We must protect workers and promote the rule of law.”
Chidoka further warned that Nigeria is approaching a dangerous threshold.
“The line between democracy and disorder is thinner than we imagine. And in Nigeria today, it is fraying,” he concluded.
As Chancellor of the Athena Centre, a think tank focused on leadership, policy reform, and youth empowerment, Chidoka has continued to advocate for institutional integrity and democratic accountability. His latest remarks echo the growing public outcry over the politicisation of justice and the failure to hold offenders accountable.
