THE greatest achievement of Nigeria’s democracy may be its survival. Since May 29, 1999, the country has not suffered another military coup. The khaki boys have remained in the barracks. But beyond uninterrupted general elections and civilian rule, democracy has yet to benefit all. The dividends have not flowed to the people in whose name the system exists. After 27 unbroken years of civilian rule, the verdict is clear: democracy in Nigeria has delivered neither prosperity nor accountability, nor offered justice or meaningful governance. In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari shifted Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in honour of the country’s freest and fairest election held in 1993, won by MKO Abiola but annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida military junta. Yet May 29 remains deeply symbolic, as it is the day presidents and governors are inaugurated and Nigerians are reminded of the promise democracy once held. Democracy has become an enormously rewarding enterprise for Nigeria’s political elite. A tiny class of politicians, contractors and power brokers has cornered the benefits of governance while the vast majority remains trapped in hardship, insecurity and despair. In theory, democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. In practice, Nigeria’s democracy increasingly serves only the political class. The Nigerian President is often described as one of the most powerful in the world. His powers are sweeping, his influence immense, and his privileges staggering. Around him exists an elaborate ecosystem of luxury sustained by public funds in a country where millions cannot afford necessities. The Economist of London famously described Nigerian lawmakers as among the highest-paid globally. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. After 27 unbroken years of civilian rule, the verdict is clear: democracy in Nigeria has delivered neither prosperity nor accountability, nor offered justice or meaningful governance. In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari shifted Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in honour of the country’s freest and fairest election held in 1993, won by MKO Abiola but annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida military junta. Yet May 29 remains deeply symbolic, as it is the day presidents and governors are inaugurated and Nigerians are reminded of the promise democracy once held. Democracy has become an enormously rewarding enterprise for Nigeria’s political elite. A tiny class of politicians, contractors and power brokers has cornered the benefits of governance while the vast majority remains trapped in hardship, insecurity and despair. In theory, democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. In practice, Nigeria’s democracy increasingly serves only the political class. The Nigerian President is often described as one of the most powerful in the world. His powers are sweeping, his influence immense, and his privileges staggering. Around him exists an elaborate ecosystem of luxury sustained by public funds in a country where millions cannot afford necessities. The Economist of London famously described Nigerian lawmakers as among the highest-paid globally. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari shifted Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in honour of the country’s freest and fairest election held in 1993, won by MKO Abiola but annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida military junta. Yet May 29 remains deeply symbolic, as it is the day presidents and governors are inaugurated and Nigerians are reminded of the promise democracy once held. Democracy has become an enormously rewarding enterprise for Nigeria’s political elite. A tiny class of politicians, contractors and power brokers has cornered the benefits of governance while the vast majority remains trapped in hardship, insecurity and despair. In theory, democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. In practice, Nigeria’s democracy increasingly serves only the political class. The Nigerian President is often described as one of the most powerful in the world. His powers are sweeping, his influence immense, and his privileges staggering. Around him exists an elaborate ecosystem of luxury sustained by public funds in a country where millions cannot afford necessities. The Economist of London famously described Nigerian lawmakers as among the highest-paid globally. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Yet May 29 remains deeply symbolic, as it is the day presidents and governors are inaugurated and Nigerians are reminded of the promise democracy once held. Democracy has become an enormously rewarding enterprise for Nigeria’s political elite. A tiny class of politicians, contractors and power brokers has cornered the benefits of governance while the vast majority remains trapped in hardship, insecurity and despair. In theory, democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. In practice, Nigeria’s democracy increasingly serves only the political class. The Nigerian President is often described as one of the most powerful in the world. His powers are sweeping, his influence immense, and his privileges staggering. Around him exists an elaborate ecosystem of luxury sustained by public funds in a country where millions cannot afford necessities. The Economist of London famously described Nigerian lawmakers as among the highest-paid globally. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Democracy has become an enormously rewarding enterprise for Nigeria’s political elite. A tiny class of politicians, contractors and power brokers has cornered the benefits of governance while the vast majority remains trapped in hardship, insecurity and despair. In theory, democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. In practice, Nigeria’s democracy increasingly serves only the political class. The Nigerian President is often described as one of the most powerful in the world. His powers are sweeping, his influence immense, and his privileges staggering. Around him exists an elaborate ecosystem of luxury sustained by public funds in a country where millions cannot afford necessities. The Economist of London famously described Nigerian lawmakers as among the highest-paid globally. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. In theory, democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. In practice, Nigeria’s democracy increasingly serves only the political class. The Nigerian President is often described as one of the most powerful in the world. His powers are sweeping, his influence immense, and his privileges staggering. Around him exists an elaborate ecosystem of luxury sustained by public funds in a country where millions cannot afford necessities. The Economist of London famously described Nigerian lawmakers as among the highest-paid globally. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The Nigerian President is often described as one of the most powerful in the world. His powers are sweeping, his influence immense, and his privileges staggering. Around him exists an elaborate ecosystem of luxury sustained by public funds in a country where millions cannot afford necessities. The Economist of London famously described Nigerian lawmakers as among the highest-paid globally. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The Economist of London famously described Nigerian lawmakers as among the highest-paid globally. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Today, federal lawmakers still enjoy salaries and allowances running into several millions while maintaining convoys and lifestyles that put royalty in the shade. This happens in a country where about 144 million citizens live in multidimensional poverty, and the national minimum wage of N70,000 barely purchases a bag of rice. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Nothing captures Nigeria’s democratic contradiction more starkly than this obscene coexistence of elite affluence and mass suffering. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Democracy does not promise heaven on earth. But it is expected to create the framework for decent and progressive governance based on transparency, accountability, checks and balances, participation and the rule of law. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Sadly, in Nigeria, the reverse often prevails. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Opacity has replaced transparency. Impunity has overwhelmed accountability. Public office has become a gateway to personal enrichment. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Corruption scandals emerge almost daily, yet consequences remain rare. Governors, ministers and politically exposed persons repeatedly accused of looting public resources are often rewarded with new appointments or legislative seats rather than being prosecuted and jailed. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Checks and balances—essential pillars of democratic governance—have steadily weakened. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The 10th National Assembly has increasingly earned the dubious reputation of a rubber-stamp legislature, approving virtually every request from the Executive without resistance or scrutiny. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Rather than acting as guardians of public interest, lawmakers frequently appear more concerned with preserving political alliances and privileges. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The consequence is predictable: public resources are plundered with little restraint. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Nigeria’s democracy crisis is perhaps most visible during elections. Elections are supposed to be the foundation of democratic legitimacy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Instead, they have become exercises marred by vote buying, rigging, voter suppression, intimidation, compromised security agencies and widespread distrust in the electoral process. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Electoral victories are increasingly determined not at polling units but in courtrooms. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. This erosion of electoral credibility has badly damaged public confidence. Voter turnout in presidential elections, for instance, has steadily collapsed over the years—from 57.5 per cent in 2007 to 53.7 per cent in 2011, 43.7 per cent in 2015, 34.7 per cent in 2019 and an alarming 27.1 per cent in 2023. Millions of Nigerians no longer believe their votes matter. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Even former President Umaru Yar’Adua acknowledged the deep flaws in the electoral process during his 2007 inauguration and promised reforms. Sadly, nearly two decades later, the problems remain unresolved. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Nigeria ranks lowly on global democracy and governance indices due to persistent weaknesses in electoral integrity, rule of law, participation and accountability. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The country is routinely classified as only “partly free,” with concerns over political manipulation, vote buying and insecurity during elections. Related News 2027: NDP unveils female presidential candidate, vows electoral victory ADC gov candidate rejects defection rumours, vows to win Osun poll LP unveils female deputy governorship candidate in Benue Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Corruption remains another enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic journey. Despite countless anti-corruption campaigns, public perception of corruption remains devastatingly high. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Institutions that should inspire confidence, such as the police, judiciary, customs and even the power sector, are repeatedly identified by citizens as deeply corrupt. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The country ranks 106th out of 167 countries with a score of 4.16 out of 10 in The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Meanwhile, public services continue to collapse. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Education is in crisis. Nigeria still has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, estimated at 18 million. Across several states, school attacks have turned classrooms into zones of fear. Families now hesitate to send their children to school because education itself has become dangerous. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Healthcare remains grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are overcrowded and poorly equipped, while political leaders routinely seek medical treatment abroad at taxpayers’ expense. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Agriculture suffers neglect despite worsening food insecurity. Infrastructure remains inadequate. Electricity supply is erratic. Inflation continues to devastate household incomes. For millions of Nigerians, survival itself has become a daily struggle. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Amid this suffering, the political class prospers. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Democracy promises freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees these rights. But increasingly, the state appears intolerant of dissent. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. In 2024, nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship were violently suppressed. Protesters, including minors, were arrested and detained. Demonstrators against bad governance in 2025 faced tear gas and intimidation, while pro-government gatherings received protection and official support. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. A Leadership newspaper investigation found that 45 journalists were arrested, harassed and detained by agents of the Federal Government between 2023 and 2024. Such laws as the Cybercrimes Act are weaponised to silence dissenting voices and investigative reporting. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Madu Onuorah, Segun Olatunji and Fisayo Soyombo were a few victims in 2024 alone. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. A democracy that fears criticism is already drifting toward authoritarianism. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The country’s multiparty system—once one of the few signs of democratic vibrancy—is endangered. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Before 2023, opposition parties offered some competitive balance. Today, mass defections by governors and politicians into the ruling party are steadily weakening opposition politics and shrinking democratic space. This is a threat to democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. In the Global State of Democracy assessment, Nigeria scores particularly low on the Rule of Law (128 out of 173) and Participation (73 out of 173), highlighting ongoing deficits in election transparency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Meanwhile, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime have left many Nigerians feeling abandoned by the state. Communities are attacked, villages destroyed, and citizens displaced while government responses often appear inadequate or politicised. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. At its heart, democracy is supposed to improve the human condition. It should be sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and responsive to public welfare. It should create opportunity, strengthen institutions and uphold justice. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. But for too many Nigerians, democracy has brought little relief. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The tragedy is not that democracy has failed as an idea but that Nigeria’s political elite has repeatedly failed democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Yet abandoning democracy is not the answer. Nigerians have experienced military rule before and know its brutal limitations. The challenge now is to rescue democracy from those who have converted it into a lucrative cartel. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Nigeria must get it right. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. The country needs electoral reforms that restore public confidence. It needs independent institutions strong enough to hold power accountable. It needs leaders who see public office as service rather than investment. It needs a judiciary that delivers justice without fear or favour. It needs a legislature that truly represents the people instead of merely endorsing executive wishes. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Above all, Nigeria needs a democracy that works not only for the privileged few but also for the ordinary citizen struggling daily for dignity and survival. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy. Twenty-seven years after the return to civilian rule, Nigerians deserve more than symbolic democracy.