Democracy Has Failed Citizens Over 25 Years, Says Bugaje

• Dr. Usman Bugaje criticized Nigeria’s democratic system for failing to meet citizens’ expectations since 1999, citing insecurity and corruption
• The Ahlul-Bayt Nigeria conference called for a new ethical political model to replace the dysfunctional democratic framework currently in place

Renowned Islamic scholar and political activist Dr Usman Bugaje has lamented the failure of Nigeria’s democratic system to fulfil citizens’ expectations since the transition to civilian rule in 1999.

Bugaje shared his concerns during the second annual conference organized by Ahlul-Bayt Nigeria in Kaduna State.

He highlighted persistent issues such as insecurity, corruption, poverty, and governance failures as evidence of the system’s shortcomings.

He believes the current democratic framework is dysfunctional and must be replaced with an ethical, political model prioritising collective interests and shared values.

In his keynote address, Malam Haruna Saeed, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State, also criticized the democratic system, noting its inability to bring significant progress in the past 25 years.

He called for collective efforts to redefine Nigeria’s governance and foster transformative change.

The conference was attended by various stakeholders, including government officials, politicians, civil society organizations, law enforcement agencies, scholars, youth organizations, and concerned citizens.

In its resolutions, the gathering advocated for developing a new governance model focused on ethics, accountability, and the collective national interest to replace the existing democratic framework.