18/09/2026
THANKGOD IBEH: THE VOICE OF REPRESENTATION IS ALREADY SPEAKING AS HE LEADS OPPOSITION COALITION FOR DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM
By Mcgoshen Onwunzo
As Nigeria prepares for another general election, the importance of protecting democratic participation and ensuring a peaceful political environment cannot be overemphasised.
Hon. ThankGod Kenechukwu Christopher Ibeh, the APGA candidate for the Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency House of Representatives election and former Anambra State governorship aspirant under APGA, has demonstrated that the responsibility of representation goes beyond occupying a political office.
Ibeh, who previously contested the APGA governorship primary in Anambra State alongside Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, recently led a coalition of opposition parties in Lagos on a peaceful demonstration demanding a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The demonstration moved from the Mainland area to the office of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police in Ikeja, where the coalition called on the police and relevant authorities to look into concerns raised by opposition parties and ensure that every political party can participate freely and peacefully in the electoral process.
Among the allegations raised were the alleged destruction of opposition campaign posters and billboards, as well as the alleged harassment of political supporters. These allegations deserve proper investigation, and where evidence establishes wrongdoing, appropriate action should follow.
But beyond the political parties, candidates and campaign materials involved, there is a much bigger issue at stake: the protection of democracy itself.
Democracy is not merely about voting on Election Day. It is a process that requires an environment where political parties can organise, candidates can campaign, citizens can hear different viewpoints and supporters can express their political preferences without intimidation.
When all parties are allowed to campaign peacefully, citizens have the opportunity to hear competing ideas and make informed choices. When opposition voices are protected, those in government are encouraged to remain accountable.
This is why the concerns raised by the coalition deserve the attention of the relevant authorities. The police have a responsibility to maintain law and order while protecting citizens who are exercising their lawful democratic rights peacefully.
The objective should not be to favour APGA, APC, PDP or any other political party but to protect the democratic process itself.
The coming elections should be a contest of ideas, service and vision, not intimidation.
And perhaps this is where the significance of Ibeh’s action lies: the voice of representation does not necessarily begin after the election; it can begin with the courage to speak when speaking matters.
Let every party campaign.
Let every candidate speak.
Let every citizen listen.
Let the institutions protect the democratic process.
And ultimately, let the people decide.
Because democracy is bigger than any candidate, bigger than any political party and bigger than any temporary political interest.
When the democratic process is protected, everyone benefits.
