June 12 : Shina Peller Laments Widening Gap Between Leaders and Citizens.
By Adewale Owoade
Prominent stakeholder and Ayedero of Yorubaland, Hon. Shina Peller, has declared that Nigeria’s democracy has failed to deliver meaningful benefits to ordinary citizens, despite more than two decades of democratic governance.
In a candid Democracy Day message, Peller criticised the nation’s political leadership, warning that Nigeria is “building a house of cards” by neglecting the economic hardship and insecurity confronting millions of citizens.
Departing from the usual celebratory tone that characterises June 12 commemorations, the former lawmaker said he would not engage in what he described as “empty, sugar-coated political rhetoric.”
According to him, while Nigeria has established the procedural framework of democracy, it has largely failed to provide its promised dividends to the people.
”Let us be brutally honest with ourselves: We are practising a democracy, but we are yet to deliver its dividends to the ordinary Nigerian,” Peller said.
He noted that the growing gap between the political elite and the masses threatens the true essence of June 12, a struggle that symbolised justice, freedom and the will of the people.
Peller argued that the ideals of the historic democratic movement are being undermined by widespread poverty, unemployment and systemic hardship.
Addressing political officeholders, he urged leaders at all levels to regard governance as a sacred public trust rather than a personal achievement.
He warned that leaders cannot afford to remain detached from the realities facing citizens while hunger, insecurity and economic uncertainty continue to worsen.
The Ayedero of Yorubaland also challenged Nigerians to play a more active role in strengthening democratic institutions.
He urged citizens not to treat democracy as a four-year voting exercise, but as a continuous process that requires vigilance, participation and accountability.
Peller further cautioned against vote-buying and identity-based politics, saying citizens who exchange their votes for temporary gains or allow ethnic and religious sentiments to influence their choices contribute to the nation’s underdevelopment.
Despite his criticism of the current state of affairs, he expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, citing the resilience, creativity and potential of the country’s youth.
To reposition the nation, Peller advocated a three-pronged approach centred on institutional accountability, economic inclusion and national unity founded on justice and fairness.
He also encouraged young Nigerians to channel their frustrations into constructive civic and political engagement rather than apathy.
Peller called on leaders across all levels of government to ensure that the significance of June 12 goes beyond annual celebrations by taking deliberate actions that improve the lives of citizens.
According to him, democracy must be experienced daily through good governance, justice and economic opportunity, rather than merely celebrated as a slogan once a year.