In an open letter on Friday, George expressed concern over what he described as growing suppression of opposition voices, adding that any system that weakens dissent risks long-term instability.

He stressed that democracy cannot function effectively where opposition is weakened or silenced, warning that such a situation could make the country volatile.

According to him, leaders who ignore criticism and surround themselves only with praise risk making avoidable mistakes that history often corrects harshly.

George said the President is at a critical point where he must choose between strengthening democratic institutions or allowing the current political tension to deepen.

He urged Tinubu to act decisively to restore confidence in governance and reduce rising divisions in the country.

He also advised the President to avoid being misled by praise-singers, urging him to listen to honest voices, correct wrong directions, and protect Nigeria’s democratic space for the future.

Speaking in an interview on Arise News, Yusuf said the situation has degenerated to the extent that people in parts of the North now pay “taxes” to armed groups and even seek their intervention in local disputes.

He lamented that while attacks continue to claim lives across several states, both government and opposition figures are politicising the crisis instead of finding lasting solutions.

Yusuf pointed to repeated attacks even after official assurances, arguing that criminal groups are increasingly emboldened and openly challenge state authority, including issuing warnings before carrying out attacks.

He further claimed that in some cases, armed groups operate with little fear of consequences, while public trust in state protection continues to weaken.

According to him, the growing influence and acceptance of such groups in some communities is a dangerous trend that could worsen if not urgently addressed.

He warned that failure to tackle insecurity decisively could lead to a situation where criminal elements gain even more legitimacy within society and political structures.

Speaking on the Beast Mode Podcast, Iwobi said personal experience facing the two superstars influenced his opinion.

He admitted Ronaldo’s presence and aura were “crazy,” recalling matches against him during Premier League clashes between Everton and Manchester United.

Iwobi noted that by that stage of his career, Ronaldo was highly efficient, focusing mainly on goal scoring whenever he got the ball.

However, the Fulham midfielder said his experience against Messi left a deeper impression, especially during his Champions League debut for Arsenal against Barcelona at Camp Nou in 2016.

He described being overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the star-studded Barcelona team featuring Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta, Xavi, and Dani Alves.

Iwobi said Messi’s control of space made him feel untouchable on the pitch, adding that defenders could barely get close to him whenever he had the ball.

He also recalled facing Messi again at the 2018 World Cup, where the Argentine scored in Nigeria’s 2–1 defeat.

Despite respecting both legends, Iwobi said his encounters convinced him that Messi stands out slightly above Ronaldo.