Civilian president can behave like dictator – Falana

Nigerian human rights lawyer Femi Falana has argued that a civilian president can behave like a dictator. Falana made this assertion during a criticism of the Nigerian Bar Association for inviting former Liberian President George Weah to its 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt. Weah's keynote address included the statement, "a tyrant with a certificate of return is still a tyrant."

Falana pointed to Weah's disregard for the rule of law and media during his time in office, noting that he disregarded four judgments of the ECOWAS Court but had handled two cases himself. He contends that Weah's presidency exhibited characteristics of a dictator, including disrespect for the rule of law and harassment of the media.

Falana also highlighted the closing of radio stations, hounding of journalists, and the departure of a BBC journalist from Liberia under Weah's regime. He believes that Weah's actions demonstrate that a civilian president can indeed behave like a dictator.