May 29: Nigerians mark 27 years’ of unbroken civil rule, set fresh agenda for govt

As Nigeria marks 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, citizens have continued to express divergent views over the state of the nation, with many questioning whether the dividends of democracy are truly reaching the masses.

Daily Champion correspondents across the states went round to gather the experiences, especially as regard the democratic dividends.

Many expressed satisfaction with unbroken civilian rule since 1999 which ushered in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic but insisted that economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment have weakened public confidence in the democratic system.

Across the states including Abuja, eminent Nigerians including activists,  traders, civil servants, students and transport operators, as well as politicians, shared concerns over the rising cost of living and the worsening economic situation.

In Delta state, legal practitioners, political leaders and public affairs analysts expressed divergent views on the country’s democratic journey, with many saying that ordinary citizens are yet to fully enjoy the dividends of democracy.

They stressed that after decades of military dictatorship, Nigeria has conducted successive elections and witnessed transitions of power from one civilian government to another.

However, several stakeholders noted that despite some gains, the nation continues to grapple with corruption, weak institutions, poverty, insecurity and poor governance.

A Public Affairs analyst and Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State, Alaowei Cleric Esq., said Nigeria had fared better under civil rule than military administration, blaming military interregnum for stagnating national development and entrenching draconian laws.

According to him, “Nigeria under civil rule since 1999 has fared better than military rule. The periods of military rule stagnated our development. We are still recuperating from the damage done by successive military juntas.”

He, however, lamented that citizens were not enjoying the dividends of democracy, adding that governance had deteriorated over the years.

Alaowei also accused successive governments of prioritising re-election ambitions over governance and warned against attempts to weaken opposition parties.

“Our democratic practice would have been deepened if the government of the day allows opposition parties to function side by side with the ruling party,” he added.

On the 2027 general elections, he urged Nigerians to vote based on competence and integrity while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to remain impartial.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, argued that Nigeria’s democratic challenges stem largely from what he described as the “faulty” 1999 Constitution.

According to him, the constitution was imposed on Nigerians without a referendum and has failed to guarantee equity and development.

“The Nigerian democracy is guided by the constitution but the 1999 Constitution is very faulty,” he stated.

Ominimini decried what he described as injustice against the Niger Delta region despite its contribution to the nation’s economy through oil and gas resources.

“We the people of the Niger Delta are suffering because of injustice,” he said, citing gas flaring, unemployment and the abandonment of critical infrastructure, including ports and the East-West Road.

He also advocated a return to fiscal federalism, insisting that states should control their resources and remit taxes to the Federal Government.

“The only solution to solving the Nigerian problem is through federalism,” he declared, while also calling for state police and greater devolution of powers.

A Delta-based national commentator and environmentalist, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, acknowledged that Nigeria’s democracy had recorded gains in infrastructure, civic participation and democratic stability over the years.

However, he said many Nigerians still faced economic hardship, unemployment and insecurity. “Many Nigerians are still struggling with poverty, unemployment, insecurity and high cost of living,” he noted.

Onuesoke blamed weak institutions, corruption and policy inconsistency for the country’s developmental setbacks and urged governments at all levels to prioritize food security, youth empowerment, investment in agriculture, education, healthcare and infrastructure.

Ahead of the 2027 polls, he advised Nigerians to vote for leaders based on competence, integrity and vision rather than ethnicity, religion or financial inducement.

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Emmanuel Uti, also expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the nation, blaming poor leadership for the hardship confronting Nigerians.

“We got it wrong when we groomed strong men instead of strong institutions,” he quipped.

Uti urged governments to focus on productivity and agriculture instead of palliative distribution, while advising voters to support candidates with proven records of service and honour.

On his part, Delta-based human rights lawyer, Barrister Oghenejabor Ikimi, argued that Nigeria was yet to practise true democracy.

“The citizens are not enjoying the dividends of democracy because we are not practising democracy,” he stated.

Ikimi said core democratic values such as accountability, political freedom, rule of law and protection of human rights are largely absent in the current political system.

He further accused the political class of undermining the sovereignty of the electorate through electoral manipulation and weak institutions.

“The votes of the electorate no longer count,” he alleged, warning that the 2027 elections might not be different unless institutions are strengthened.

The legal practitioner also called on governments at all levels to ensure transparency, obey court orders, protect human rights and pursue economic policies capable of stimulating agro-industrial growth.

Despite the criticisms, most of the stakeholders agreed that Nigeria still possesses enormous potential for growth if leaders embrace accountability, strengthen institutions and implement policies that directly improve the welfare of citizens.

They also stressed the need for credible elections, respect for opposition parties and reforms capable of deepening democratic governance as the nation prepares for another electoral cycle in 2027.

A public servant, Mr Rotimi Lawan described the situation as painful. “Democracy is supposed to improve the lives of the people, but many Nigerians are struggling to survive. Prices of food, transportation and rent keep increasing daily.”

Another resident, Mr Emmanuel Okoro noted that although democracy has brought political freedom, many citizens are yet to experience economic freedom.

“We can vote and speak freely, but what people really want is good roads, stable electricity, security and jobs,” he said.

Political analysts and civil society groups attributed many of the nation’s challenges to poor leadership, corruption and weak institutions.

Observers believe that successive administrations at different levels of government have failed to adequately prioritize the welfare of citizens despite the country’s abundant natural and human resources.

A political affairs commentator stated that Nigeria’s democratic system has often been undermined by ethnic politics, vote-buying and lack of accountability.

“The problem is not democracy itself. The problem is that leadership has not consistently reflected competence, transparency and sincerity.”

Others argued that many elected officials focus more on winning elections than implementing policies capable of transforming the economy and improving social welfare.

Nigerians urged governments at federal, state and local levels to urgently address the economic hardship facing citizens.

People also called for increased support for agriculture and small businesses to reduce unemployment and stimulate economic growth.

Security equally featured prominently in the reactions, with citizens appealing for stronger efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes affecting several parts of the country.

An Abuja businessman, Haruna Suleman said: “Without security and stable power supply, businesses cannot survive. Government must focus on policies that directly affect ordinary Nigerians.”

A civil society advocate, Mr Aloysius Egbuma advised voters must become more conscious of the power they hold.

“The future of Nigeria depends largely on the choices citizens make in 2027. Nigerians must elect leaders based on capacity, vision and character, not sentiments.”

Youth participation in governance and electoral processes was also emphasized as a critical factor in strengthening democracy.

Despite the prevailing challenges, many Nigerians remain hopeful that the country can still achieve meaningful progress through responsible leadership, institutional reforms and active citizen participation.

On his part, the Coordinator of Civil Liberty Organisation, CLO, Comrade Steve Aluko have stated that given the level of resource investment in this democracy, the struggle to sustain it, and the loss of lives and property, coupled with the enormous financial costs and trust invested from 1999 till date, Nigerians have yet to enjoy the true dividends of democracy.

Comrade Aluko argued that rather than experiencing meaningful progress, what the country has witnessed is largely an illusion of what should have improved the lives of the people.

He raised the concern in Jos, saying, “As we speak, the challenge of meeting the basic necessities of life remains severe. Politically, economically and culturally, Nigeria appears to be moving in reverse,” Aluko noted.

He acknowledged that the citizens got it wrong by failing to put forward the very best leaders.

“We got it wrong by not laying a strong foundation for credible internal democracy.We got it wrong by electing so-called excellencies and honourables who do not deserve those titles.

“A great number of those privileged to represent the people in public office have demeaned the essence of leadership, undermined the purpose of governance, and distorted the responsibilities assigned to them by the Constitution.

“The foundation of governance should be the security of lives and property as well as the welfare of the citizens.

“We also got it wrong by allowing individuals to hijack the electoral process right from the party level. We got it wrong when electoral umpires compromise the process, when results are declared even before elections are conducted and when genuine victories are overturned on technical grounds.”

Comrade Aluko further suggested modalities  government at all levels should focus on to cushion hardship in the country.

According to him, part of the interventions the people need is improved security of lives and property as well as the creation of a credible, free, and fair electoral process from the party level through to the general elections.

“There must be a level playing field for both the ruling party and opposition parties. Above all, government must address the economic hardship caused by policies that have plunged many citizens into poverty and suffering,” Aluko advised.

On what should be the interest and expectations of the electorate in electing their representatives ahead of 2027 general elections, Aluko emphasized that the best interest of the electorate is to define their needs, set agenda and frameworks for engagement and constructively participate in the democratic process.

“Where a popular candidate or party emerges, the people should support and endorse them on election day. At the same time, they should also hold leaders accountable where necessary.

“Secondly, voters should carefully examine the antecedents of all candidates and vote for the very best among them.

“Thirdly, they must ensure the sanctity of their votes by defending them at all costs. They should also guard against anyone attempting to collectively exploit or manipulate their communities through vote-buying or political trade-offs.

“The electorate should actively engage in civil mobilisation and civic participation. They should educate themselves and critically analyse the political and economic programmes of the various parties. It is important to assess the capacity of both the candidates and their parties to implement their promises.

“People must not vote carelessly or along sentimental lines. They should vote for the most competent and credible candidates among those presented to them.

“This is necessary so that we can have effective representative democracy, proper checks and balances, effective oversight functions, and true separation and independence of the three arms of government.

“Above all, the people should reject corrupt elements and vote for men and women of honour who have integrity and the fear of God”, Comrade Aluko stated.

On his part, a political analyst and former spokesman of the Labour Party, Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, has defended Nigeria’s democratic journey in the Fourth Republic, insisting that despite its imperfections, civilian rule remains preferable to military dictatorship.

Arabambi stated that even the worst civilian administration is better than military rule, warning that military regimes often suspend constitutions, suppress citizens’ rights and impose draconian policies for selfish interests.

According to him, democratic governance naturally comes with challenges, including abuse of power by public officials, allegations of corruption, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds by some political office holders.

He, however, maintained that democracy allows room for correction and institutional growth.

Arabambi who drew comparisons with the democratic evolution of the United States said, “Nigeria’s civil rule is an experiment. America also wobbled and fumbled before stabilising its democracy.”

Speaking on whether Nigerians are truly enjoying the dividends of democracy, Arabambi argued that governance is a shared responsibility between leaders and citizens.

He noted that government alone cannot provide every necessity for the people, adding that individuals must also contribute to improving their own living conditions.

Arabambi blamed many of Nigeria’s economic and institutional problems on poor leadership and self-interest among political elites.

He accused some public officials of enriching themselves through contract awards and abuse of office rather than serving the national interest.

He also criticised the administration inherited by President Bola Tinubu from former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a “failed government” and a country in economic distress.

According to him, Nigeria was spending over 90 per cent of its income on debt servicing under the previous administration, while the economy suffered from weak exports and excessive monetary interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

On governance under the current administration, Arabambi said the government of Tinubu was making efforts to stabilise the economy.

He claimed that federal allocations to many states had increased significantly compared to 2023, while urging Nigerians to hold state governors accountable for how public funds are utilised.

He expressed concern over the implementation of local government autonomy, accusing several governors of frustrating the process despite court pronouncements supporting financial independence for local councils.

“The local government is the closest tier of government to the people, but many governors are impediments to its autonomy,” he said.

Arabambi called on Nigerians to remain hopeful about the country’s future, expressing optimism that conditions would improve before the 2027 general elections.

He advised citizens to vote wisely in 2027, stressing that the electorate must take responsibility for choosing credible leaders capable of moving the country forward.

Similarly, the chairman of the African Democratic Party, ADC in Lagos State, George Ashiru said, “The Nigerian state has enjoyed the longest period of unbroken democracy since our independence. To that extent we can celebrate our democracy. Our citizens however expect more from our democracy. We expect more equitable and transparent governance. We expect the standards of living of the average Nigerian to have multiplied positively since the heady days of military rule. We expect that our academic standards and health care systems would have vastly improved. We expect that we would be more industrialised by now and leading Africa in exports and production of goods and services to the rest of the world. We expected our income per capita to have increased dramatically, but instead this is the reverse. We still have a lot of work to do.

“Our political class has chosen to focus more on politicking rather than governing. Our various governments seemed to be happy with the status quo rather than be vision driven. Our technology is still behind, we still don’t have an industrial revolution. Our population is skyrocketing but our social services aren’t matching due to lack of adequate planning and weak prioritisation of resources, or economic sabotage. As I noted earlier it appears our political leadership is still focused on acquiring and keeping power than actually delivering on specific developmental goals that benefit the majority. Everything rests on leadership – a lack of it actually.

“I still believe that if the Government focuses on an actual long term developmental agenda, rather than these short term ‘vanity projects,’ we can actually develop a thriving economy like the Singaporeans, the Chinese Taipei which had once  underdeveloped nations. But develop by building social infrastructure that supports the economic viability of SMEs. SMEs are the heart of the GDP. The private sector provides about 70% of our GNP, and therefore most Government programmes should be focused on them, rather than simply building physical structures that are used by tiny fractions of the citizens. If you empower the small businesses, and if the various loans we are acquiring are driven to promote SMEs, the direct and immediate impact on the economy will be felt.

“We should look for political platforms like ADC, that promote transformational governance. Candidates that are passionate patriots and vision driven. Our people are losing hope in the nation and just trying to survive every day because they don’t have any choice. I pray that when our people are voting, they are thinking about their future and elect folks that are empathetic to their situation. As I have said severally, ADC is people driven. Not a single one of our emerging candidates in Lagos can be regarded as moneybags. They are just like the average citizen, hoping to make a change. Let’s all be driven by love of the people and service to the nation.”

A market trader in Oshodi, Lagos who did not want her name in print said, “We vote every four years, but my rent and garri price keep going up. Where is the dividend?”

A civil servant in Abuja noted that freedom of speech and regular elections are gains, but “they don’t put food on the table.”

In his comment, a young tech entrepreneur in Yaba said, “The internet, startups and open space to create businesses weren’t there 27 years ago. For some of us, democracy has opened doors.”

“Money for roads, schools, and hospitals disappears before it reaches where it is needed” said a retired teacher in Iyana Ipaja.

“Education, healthcare and skills development have been underfunded. This has produced a workforce unprepared for the 21st century economy” he lamented.

“Politicians only remember us during campaigns,” said a commercial driver in Somolu.

Citizens demanded immediate interventions by bringing down food and transport costs. They appealed to  the government to   subsidize farming inputs, fix rural roads, and support local farmers.

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