Nigeria’s Democratic Journey: Between Hope, Nostalgia, and Deep Pain
By Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, Executive Director of Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) and former INEC Residents Electoral Commissioner in Enugu State.
I look at Nigeria’s democratic journey with a mixture of nostalgia and deep pain. There is nostalgia because many Nigerians sacrificed immensely, and some even paid the ultimate price, in the struggle to retrieve democratic governance from military rule after decades of authoritarianism. I remember trekking on foot from Kubwa papal Centre to Garki Area 10 after protesting against Abacha rule and running away from the then killer squad. I was then working under late comrade Emma Ezeazu, my Executive Director. I remember joining a joint protest between CSOs and NLC during Senator Oshomole’s time as NLC president and how they were called off while we were still in the field. I also remember how I would have lost my life at Tegina robbery incident while returning from an advocacy project in faraway Kebbi State or running into a religious riot around Angwan Fulani, off Ali Akilu Way in Kaduna. Today, NLC president is beaten to stupor and nothing happens.
There is so much pain because the democracy that was expected to guarantee freedom, justice, accountability, and development is today facing serious challenges instead of experiencing sustained growth and consolidation.When democracy returned in 1999, Nigerians expected a new era of accountable leadership, credible elections, respect for the rule of law, and protection of citizens’ rights.
Unfortunately, many politicians transformed what should have been democratic governance into mere civilian rule. The essential pillars of democracy—credible elections, transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and protection of lives and property—were gradually weakened or ignored.Twenty-seven years after the return to democratic governance, many indicators of human development have either stagnated or declined, particularly between 2015 and 2026. Poverty has increased significantly.
Unemployment remains widespread, especially among young people. Insecurity has become a major threat to national development. Millions of Nigerians now struggle daily to meet their basic needs. Economic hardship, social exclusion, and declining living standards have weakened citizens’ confidence in the ability of government to improve their welfare.
Today, stories of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, violent crimes, and political assassinations dominate public discourse. Citizens live in fear, businesses struggle to survive, and communities are frequently displaced by violence. This situation represents a major tragedy for a nation that has practiced democratic governance for nearly three decades.
The political environment is equally troubling. After 27 years of democracy, Nigeria is yet to develop strong, ideologically driven, and internally democratic political parties. Both ruling and opposition parties suffer from serious structural weaknesses and unclear ideology or its lack. . Internal political parties democracy is largely absent. Political parties have increasingly become personal enterprises controlled by powerful individuals rather than institutions owned by members.As a result, candidates are often selected rather than democratically elected through transparent processes. Those who emerge frequently feel more accountable to political godfathers and party owners than to the citizens they are supposed to serve. Consequently, public policies and government actions are often designed to satisfy political interests rather than address the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
The decline of party institutions is evident in the collapse of many political parties. Since 2017, over one hundred political parties have either disappeared or become inactive. Those that remain are often weak, fragmented, and lacking clear ideological direction. Many operate as election vehicles rather than platforms for advancing national development and democratic values.This weakness has serious implications for governance. In every representative democracy, strong political parties and credible elections are the foundation of accountable government.
Unfortunately, Nigeria continues to struggle with both. Corruption remains another major obstacle to democratic development. Despite repeated promises by successive governments, corruption continues to undermine public institutions, weaken service delivery, and discourage investment. Resources that should be used for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation are often lost through inefficiency, mismanagement, and abuse of public office.
The performance of the three arms of government also raises serious concerns.The legislature, both at the national and state levels, appears increasingly aligned with the executive arm of government. Rather than serving as an independent institution that represents the interests of citizens and provides effective oversight, many legislatures at federal and states are perceived as extensions of the executive. Policies and proposals originating from the executive often receive swift approval, while issues that directly affect citizens are delayed, politicized, or ignored. A notable example is the longstanding demand by Nigerians for the electronic and real-time transmission of election results as a means of reducing electoral manipulation and strengthening public confidence in elections.
Despite widespread public support, efforts to fully institutionalize such reforms have faced significant resistance from Law makers. The executive arm of government, on its part, is often criticized for insufficient transparency and accountability. Citizens frequently complain about the gap between campaign promises and actual performance. Many feel disconnected from government decision-making processes and frustrated by the slow pace of socio-economic progress, to survive in Nigeria is now likened to survival from the prophetic hellfire.
Perhaps the greatest disappointment for many Nigerians concerns the judiciary. Once regarded as the last hope of the common citizen, public confidence in the judicial system has declined considerably. Many citizens now view judicial outcomes through political lenses. This perception weakens trust in one of the most important institutions of democracy. Consequently, many Nigerians feel they have nowhere to seek justice, protection, or relief when confronted with abuse of power, electoral injustice, or violations of their rights.
Yet, despite these challenges, there remains one encouraging aspect of Nigeria’s democratic experience: Nigerians still believe in democracy not those managing it. Most citizens remain convinced that, if properly practiced, democracy offers greater opportunities for freedom, development, and accountability than military rule. However, democracy cannot thrive without public confidence. One of the most dangerous warning signs is declining voter participation. In many elections, less than 40 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots. A significant number of citizens have lost faith in the electoral process because they believe their votes will not count due to electoral manipulation and rigging. This widespread perception poses a serious threat to the future of democratic governance in Nigeria.The solution lies not in abandoning democracy but in strengthening it. Nigeria must return to the foundational principles of democratic governance. Citizens must be allowed to freely elect leaders of their choice through transparent, credible, and competitive elections. Political parties must embrace internal democracy. Public institutions must become more accountable and responsive. The rule of law must be respected, and the judiciary must regain public trust through fairness, independence, and courage.
Democracy succeeds when government derives its legitimacy from the genuine will of the people and remains accountable to them. Unless Nigeria addresses the challenges of electoral integrity, weak institutions, corruption, insecurity, and poor governance, democratic progress will continue to suffer setbacks.
The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on our collective willingness to protect democratic values, strengthen institutions, and ensure that government truly serves the interests of the people. Only then can the sacrifices made in the struggle for democracy be justified, and only then can democracy deliver the dividends that Nigerians have long awaited. The worst harm to democracy in Nigeria is shrinking the operating space for Civil Society Organizations that fought to restore democracy without counting loss or gain as well as endangering or killing them. This is the most painful aspect of our backward journey. Is this the democracy Comrade Chima Ubani fought and died for?