Many everyday Nigerians increasingly feel there is little to celebrate about the country’s 26 years of democratic rule. Despite transitioning from a military dictatorship in 1999, the dividends of democracy remain elusive for most citizens.
Instead of economic growth, improved governance, or quality public services, what has unfolded over the years is a system many now see as deeply flawed and unresponsive.
One of the most persistent critiques of Nigeria’s political system is the recycling of leaders. Since 1999, five presidents have taken office, four of whom previously held political roles under military rule. This continuity in leadership style and ideology has raised important questions: Can the country evolve if its leadership doesn’t? Is a new Nigeria possible under the same political elite that governed it during its most turbulent periods?
The suspicion is that Nigeria’s prolonged economic stagnation stems from this entrenched political class and systemic corruption. The same names dominate elections, appointments, and policymaking. While campaign promises are lavish and optimistic, their actual implementation is often minimal or nonexistent.
A Disconnect Between Rhetoric and Reality
Elections in Nigeria are increasingly ending not with celebrations but with legal battles in courtrooms. Claims of electoral malpractice, forgery, irregularities, and even violence have marred the credibility of the polls. Although courts often validate the declared winners, years into their tenures, even the average voter begins to question the legitimacy of their rule.
Worse still, public office holders appear more focused on managing perceptions than addressing real economic distress. Government spokespersons speak about exchange rates, foreign reserves, or revenue gains from subsidy removal. But these figures mean little to the everyday Nigerian who struggles with rising food costs, unreliable electricity, increasing cost of education, poor healthcare, and insecurity.
Democracy and What the Average Nigerian Really Wants
For the average citizen, the benchmarks of good governance are basic: stable electricity, accessible healthcare, affordable education, public safety, and a chance at a decent livelihood. These are the true metrics of progress, not foreign investment numbers or fiscal policy tweaks.
Yet, the gap between what citizens expect and what politicians prioritize continues to grow. The government’s preoccupation with macroeconomic indicators while ignoring bread-and-butter issues creates a perception of a disconnected leadership class.
Successive presidents often blame their predecessors for economic hardship. This cycle of inherited blame has become predictable, and Nigerians are growing weary. Whether due to a lack of capacity or political will, the leadership’s inability to meaningfully improve the lives of citizens has eroded public trust.
Protests, once seen as a tool of accountability, now often end in disappointment. Citizens feel voiceless, watching as their struggles are met with silence, indifference, or deflection. The phrase “paddle your own canoe” has become the bitter reality for many, as people increasingly rely on personal survival strategies rather than government support.
As Nigeria marks over two decades of democratic rule, it must ask itself some hard questions: What kind of democracy ignores the cries of its people? What is governance without accountability or empathy? Until leadership begins to center policies on real human needs, electricity, security, food, jobs, and education, the promise of democracy will remain unfulfilled.
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