/ Aug 24, 2026
/ Aug 24, 2026

“A tyrant with a certificate of return is still a tyrant” Weah warns African Leaders

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Former Liberia President George Weah has warned African leaders that electoral victories do not justify authoritarian rule, urging legal professionals to defend democracy and protect institutions from executive overreach.

 

Speaking at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Weah said leaders elected through democratic processes can still threaten democracy if they undermine independent institutions.

“ A tyrant with a certificate of return is still a tyrant,” Weah said while addressing lawyers at the conference themed “Beyond Limits.”

The former Liberian leader argued that democracy faces threats not only from military coups or defeated candidates refusing to accept election results, but also from elected officials who weaken the judiciary and legislature.

He urged lawyers to remain a safeguard against abuses of power, stressing that strong institutions are essential for democracy to survive.

“Democracy does not survive on the strength of elections alone. What holds us up? What keeps the roof from collapsing on the people inside it? Our institutions,” he said.

Weah also highlighted his decision to concede defeat during Liberia’s 2023 presidential election, saying he accepted the outcome before the final results were officially announced because the will of voters should come before personal ambition.

The former AC Milan football star, who served as Liberia’s president from 2018 to 2024, called for judicial independence across Africa, warning against political interference in courts.

The NBA conference brought together legal professionals, government officials and stakeholders to discuss issues affecting democracy, governance and the rule of law.

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TUC members blocking the entrance of Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja over alleged unfair labour practices and workers’ rights.

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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), through its affiliate, the Hotel and Personal Service Senior Staff Association, has picketed the Abuja Continental Hotel over alleged unfair labour practices, poor working conditions and restrictions on workers’ freedom of association.   The union commenced the picketing on Monday, August 24, 2026, amid a dispute over the unionisation of hotel workers and other labour-related demands. According to Channels Television, the union said repeated efforts to meet with the hotel management to address its concerns had been unsuccessful. The protesters blocked the entrance to the hotel as they pressed their demands. At the time of filing the report, union members were also attempting to lock the hotel gate, but the move was resisted by police officers and some hotel officials. The union’s grievances include what it described as indecent working conditions, alleged unfair labour practices and concerns over workers’ right to organise and freely associate with trade unions. Other reports said the workers gathered at the hotel from the early hours of Monday and commenced the picketing after access to the premises was restricted. Security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the scene as the protest continued. TUC officials maintained that the industrial action followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue. The hotel management had not issued a public response to the allegations contained in the reports at the time of filing. The claims by the union therefore remain allegations pending any response from the management. The picketing has affected access to the hotel as the union continues to demand action on the issues surrounding workers’ welfare, unionisation and freedom of association.
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