Nigeria celebrated the 25th anniversary of unbroken democratic rule yesterday, June 12. The anniversary marked a significant milestone for a country that has spent much of its post-independence existence under different military regimes. It was an auspicious moment in May 1999 when Nigerians pried power away from the military and handed it over to the civilians in what heralded the commencement of the fourth republic.
While Nigeria has experienced 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, there are concerns and questions on whether Nigerians have actually benefited from democratic rule. Then there is also the debate of whether the intrinsic elements of democracy like the rule of law, separation of power, freedom of speech and periodical free, fair and credible elections are part of the democratic rule practised in Nigeria today.
While President Bola Tinubu and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed democracy is thriving in Nigeria and that they are committed to strengthening and deepening the ideals of democracy in the country, opposition parties and their leaders claimed democracy is in danger in Nigeria, they raised concerns over the actions of the ruling party which they said are detrimental to the tenet of democratic rule.
Democracy remains the best solution – APC
The APC described Democracy Day as a worthy occasion of collective pride as the nation continues to consolidate democracy and entrench progress for current and future generations.
“Democratic governance remains the best solution to Nigeria’s challenges, and this administration is putting democracy to work for the economy, peace, well-being, and security of all our people,” The party said in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Felix Morka.
According to him, democracy, in its fundamental elements, represents the most profound recognition and protection of the rule of law and fundamental liberties compared to other governance models.
Tinubu and his denunciation of a one-party state
The murmurs of the nation sliding into a one-party state have gained traction in recent months following the defection of top opposition figures, especially from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But addressing a joint session of both the Senate and the House of Representatives at the National Assembly, Tinubu dismissed claims that his government is undermining Nigeria’s democracy and laying the foundation for the conversion of the country into one party.
He said “To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state, I offer you a most personal promise. While your alarm may be as a result of your panic, it rings in error. At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria. I have never attempted to alter any political party registration with INEC. Equally, my friends, we cannot blame anybody seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a life jacket.
“Look at my political history. I would be the last person to advocate such a scheme. A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be.”
“Democratic governance remains the best solution to Nigeria’s challenges, and this administration is putting democracy to work for the economy, peace, well-being, and security of all our people.”
Leaders of opposition parties passed a damning verdict on Tinubu’s government
No democracy in Nigeria – Peter Obi
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, disagrees with Tinubu that his government is working towards strengthening democracy in Nigeria. He stated that Nigeria presently can not be said to be a democratic nation as all the indices that make a country a democracy are conspicuously absent.
He said: “In our present state, our dear country, Nigeria cannot be justly classified as a democratic country. The vital indications of democracy are noticeably absent.
“Some do not even exist. Democracy is said to be ‘a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,’ yet none of these three measures exist in our democracy today.
“Rules, regulations and requirements to participate in elections or be elected for are not followed, consequently, individuals who are to be disqualified ab initio are now holding, including public offices.”
“What we are witnessing is not governance, it is conquest,” says Atiku
Former Vice president, Atiku Abubakar, did not hold back in his castigation and condemnation of the Tinubu government in what Nigeria’s democracy has become under him, describing his government as “the yoke of authoritarianism”
He said “Today, Nigeria teeters on the edge of a dangerous precipice—a creeping one-party dictatorship is replacing the democratic order we bled for. Those who laid down their lives did not do so for Nigerians to groan under the yoke of authoritarianism and economic suffocation.
“The ruling party and its federal government now govern with the unmistakable intent to dominate, subdue, and silence. Their tactics are not subtle. Opposition voices are being systematically erased. Contracts for multi-billion-naira infrastructure are funnelled to cronies and family associates of the president. National institutions, once symbols of unity, are being brazenly renamed in honour of a sitting president, as though the country were a private estate.
“What we are witnessing is not governance, it is conquest.
“This government represents the lowest ebb in our democratic journey. Institutions have been weaponized. Policies are crafted not to empower the people but to entrench fear, obedience, and control. The common Nigerian has been abandoned at the altar of elite comfort. And make no mistake: this is the antithesis of everything June 12 stands for.”
“You cannot preach democracy and practice autocracy,” says Senator Seriake Dickson.
Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, expressed concern over the route the nation’s democracy is headed, particularly the removal of the democratically elected governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, and the appointment of the military administrator to govern the state.
Seriake stated that it was deeply worrisome that Tinubu totally ignored the political situation in Rivers State during his speech at the national assembly.
Dickson said: “Let me start by saying Happy Democracy Day to all Nigerians — even though one might ask: are we truly happy?
“Democracy is supposed to inspire hope, but what we saw today in the Senate was a direct assault on that hope.”
“It’s deeply ironic that on a day meant to celebrate the triumph of civil authority, the Senate is endorsing actions that undermine the Constitution.”
Dickson noted. “Why read this communication today, of all days, if not to send a chilling message about federal overreach?”
The senator also accused the presidency of hypocrisy in its approach to governance.
“You cannot preach democracy and practice autocracy,” he said.
“President Tinubu’s speech was beautifully written, but his silence on Rivers betrays a troubling disregard for the rule of law.”
Tinubu may talk a good game and make so much song and dance about his opposition to a one-party state but his actions and deeds clearly betray his thoughts and intentions.
For instance, the inability of the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections does not lend credence to Tinubu’s claim that he has no interest in turning Nigeria into a one-party state. In fact, one of the factors responsible for the gale of defection to the APC is how increasingly difficult it is becoming for opposition to win elections, not because they don’t have what it takes to win in an open contest and a free and credible election but because INEC in cahoots with the APC is always willing and ready to either actively rig the election in favour of the APC or look the other way while the APC carry out the rigging in favour of its candidates. Tinubu can’t claim to be against a one-party state and then brazenly use INEC to manipulate the outcome of elections to keep his party in power.
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