Fayemi Says Nigeria Is Yet to Achieve True Democracy…Former Governor of Ekiti State and prominent political figure, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said that Nigeria is still far from achieving genuine democracy, despite operating under a civilian government since 1999.
Speaking on June 12 during a Democracy Day event aired on Channels Television, Fayemi reflected on Nigeria’s political journey and emphasized that what currently exists is not full-fledged democracy, but rather a system that is heavily reliant on periodic elections with limited real representation.
According to Fayemi, while Nigerians have regained the right to vote and choose their leaders over the past 25 years, the country still grapples with major democratic deficits.
He described the prevailing system as “electoralism” — a form of governance where elections are held routinely, yet fail to translate into meaningful political empowerment or societal development.
For many citizens, he noted, the democratic process ends at the ballot box, with very little opportunity for participation, influence, or benefit beyond election day.
He stressed that democracy should be about more than just the ritual of voting. It should embody principles of inclusion, accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of the people.
In Nigeria’s case, Fayemi argued that governance often serves the interests of a small elite — those in power or closely connected to those who hold power — while the broader population remains excluded from real decision-making and suffers the consequences of weak institutions, corruption, and unfulfilled promises.
Reflecting on the country’s political past, Fayemi recounted his personal experience as part of the pro-democracy struggle during the military era.
He described how he once carried a transmitter for Radio Kudirat, the underground resistance station named after slain activist Kudirat Abiola, on a flight meant for Cotonou that was diverted to Lagos.
The act, fraught with risk, was a demonstration of the resolve and courage of those who resisted military rule and fought for Nigeria’s return to civilian government.
Fayemi emphasized that Democracy Day, marked every June 12, should be a day of reflection, not just celebration.
The date honors the memory of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, which was won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola but annulled by the military government of the time.
For Fayemi, recognizing June 12 is not just about acknowledging a past injustice, but about keeping alive the spirit of resistance, the pursuit of justice, and the commitment to building a better nation.
He pointed out that many of the challenges the country faced under military rule — lack of accountability, suppression of dissent, disregard for the rule of law — still persist today in different forms.
Although now cloaked in the appearance of democratic governance, many of the fundamental problems remain unresolved.
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He urged Nigerians not to be content with the superficial markers of democracy but to push for deeper reforms that would allow true democratic governance to take root.
Fayemi called on all Nigerians, especially the youth, to become more active in the political process and hold their leaders accountable.
He argued that democracy is not a destination but a continuous journey, one that requires vigilance, participation, and sacrifice.
Without active civic engagement and pressure from the public, he warned, Nigeria risks stagnating under a system that merely mimics democracy rather than delivering its promises.
In his concluding remarks, Fayemi said that real democracy must be measured by how well it serves the people — how it lifts them from poverty, protects their rights, ensures justice, and provides equal opportunities.
Until Nigeria achieves those standards, he said, the struggle for democracy must continue.
