Veteran journalist and human rights activist, Richard Akinnola, has warned public office holders against the abuse of power and the arrogance that often accompanies political authority.
Akinnola, in a statement on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, drew parallels between the rise and fall of some of Nigeria’s most influential political figures across different administrations, stressing that no position of power is permanent.
He recalled the case of Umaru Dikko, once regarded as the most powerful minister under President Shehu Shagari.
The public affairs analyst stated that Dikko claimed that since people had not started eating from the dustbins, there was no serious poverty in Nigeria.
“But when Shagari was toppled, he ran into exile in the UK and was almost ‘repatriated’ in a crate by the Buhari junta,” he said.
Akinnola also referenced former Delta State Governor James Ibori, who wielded enormous influence in the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua presidency.
“He strutted the Villa like the alternate president,” Akinnola noted, citing Segun Adeniyi’s book – ‘Power, Politics And Death’.
“When Yar’Adua died, the tide changed. He ended up in a UK prison,” Akinnola said.
EFCC detains Malami over recovered Abacha loot, others
The journalist further mentioned the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), once considered one of the most powerful figures in the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
According to Akinnola, Malami exercised significant sway over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including the removal of Ibrahim Magu and the appointment of Abdulrasheed Bawa.
He stated: “Now, he is currently under EFCC detention.
“What of Emefiele, the powerful Governor of Central Bank, who even flirted with the idea of contesting for the presidency, where is he today? Struggling for his life with a couple of criminal trials.”
Akinnola also mentioned former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is facing corruption charges in the UK, with several multi-million-dollar assets seized.
Akinnola said these examples should serve as lessons to current officials who act as though power is everlasting.
“So, to some of those in the current dispensation behaving as if they own their lives, please, calm down as there is always a tomorrow and tables do turn. We shall all be here by His grace to chronicle it,” he said.
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