Apart from Abia State, where Governor Alex Otti appears to be demonstrating a different approach to governance, I struggle to identify any other Igbo state where democracy is being practised in its true sense. Unfortunately, the conduct of some of our governors increasingly suggests that they are more interested in retaining political power than submitting themselves to the judgment of the electorate.

How can a state governor wake up one morning and impose a ban on commercial tricycle (Keke) operators simply because they came out in their numbers to welcome Peter Obi, a political figure who does not belong to the governor’s party? Is that democracy, or an abuse of executive power to punish citizens for exercising their political freedom?

Mr Nwifuru and other Igbo governors must understand one fundamental truth: They occupy their offices on the mandate of the people, not on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu. Their political survival ultimately depends on the people whose votes brought them to power.

Unfortunately, some of these governors appear to have lost touch with this reality because they believe that electoral manipulation, intimidation, political thuggery and the abuse of state institutions can always secure their return to office. But democracy is not a personal inheritance, and the electorate is not a conquered population that must dance to the tune of whoever occupies the Government House.

What is happening in parts of Igboland should concern every genuine democrat. When citizens are punished for welcoming opposition politicians, when political loyalty is demanded at the expense of individual freedom, and when government machinery is allegedly deployed to intimidate perceived political opponents, we must begin to question whether we are still practising democracy or gradually drifting towards civilian authoritarianism.

Let the world take note: What some of our political leaders are practising is increasingly looking like forceful political manipulation rather than democracy.

However, there is one reality they cannot legislate against, intimidate away or suppress with executive orders: Peter Obi has become a political movement. His influence has gone beyond party affiliation, geographical boundaries and traditional political structures. The entire country has increasingly come to recognise that his political relevance cannot be determined by the comfort or discomfort of incumbent governors.

You may disagree with Peter Obi politically, but you cannot legitimately punish citizens for supporting him. That is the very essence of democracy.

Governors should remember that the people who gave them power also possess the constitutional right to take it away through the ballot. Power belongs to the people, not to those temporarily occupying Government House.