A prominent Nigerian commentator has urged opposition leaders to move beyond social media criticism and demonstrate genuine leadership amid growing concerns over the state of democracy.
In an opinion piece published on X (formerly Twitter) on 9 February 2026, Olóyè Gbenga Olaleye criticised figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, Dino Melaye, and others for what he described as “cowardice” and reliance on online outrage rather than decisive action.
Olaleye argued that Nigeria’s democracy is “being stripped in broad daylight,” with key institutions weakened, yet opposition figures have opted for “performance” through hashtags, threads, and press statements instead of mobilising citizens for lawful mass action.
He emphasised that true leadership requires courage, sacrifice, and physical presence, not “keyboard opposition.”
Condemnation without follow-through amounts to “cowardice dressed up as politics,” he stated, adding that history rewards those who organise and apply pressure rather than those issuing long essays or chasing clout.
The piece referenced past movements such as Occupy Nigeria in 2012 and the push for change in 2015, noting that many current ruling politicians built their trajectories during such periods of public discontent.
Olaleye warned that Nigerians are increasingly disillusioned with the current administration, with focus shifting to the 2027 elections, but the opposition must act now to provide direction and ensure electoral integrity.
He called for strategic, peaceful civic engagement to confront the system transparently, insisting Nigerians seek courage, leadership, and sincerity not chaos or violence.
The article aligns with the trending #OccupyNASS2026 and #OccupyNASS campaigns, which gained momentum in early February 2026.
Protests and calls to occupy the National Assembly emerged in response to the Senate’s handling of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, particularly the rejection of clauses mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Opposition parties, civil society groups, and activists have condemned the move as a threat to transparency and a potential enabler of electoral manipulation ahead of 2027.
Calls for mandatory real-time result uploads have intensified, with some labelling the Senate’s actions a “betrayal” and an assault on democratic gains.
Olaleye concluded that history will remember those who stood firm rather than those who tweeted the longest threads, urging opposition leaders to lead responsibly or risk betraying public trust.
