Twenty-six years after Nigeria transitioned to civil rule, one of the country’s most respected democratic voices, Professor Attahiru Jega, has issued a grave warning: “What we have in Nigeria today is democracy in name only.”
Delivering a thought-provoking keynote at The Platform Nigeria: June 12 Edition, hosted by The Covenant Nation Global in Lagos, the former INEC Chairman and political scientist declared that Nigeria’s democratic journey has stalled—and may be heading towards a cliff unless bold reforms are urgently undertaken.
“We have ritualized democracy,” Jega said. “Yes, we hold elections. We swear in leaders. We run campaigns. But the essence—the integrity of institutions, the service-mindedness of leaders, and the trust of the people—is missing.”
Central to Jega’s critique was the constitutional immunity clause, which shields the president and governors from prosecution while in office.
“Originally designed to protect leaders from frivolous suits, it has now become a legal armour for corruption,” Jega charged. “For up to eight years, public office holders operate above the law. That’s not democracy—it’s tyranny dressed in electoral robes.”
He called for a complete repeal of the immunity clause, insisting that “real-time accountability” must apply to everyone in public office, regardless of status.
Turning his attention to the judiciary, Jega was unflinching.
“A judiciary beholden to the executive is a danger to democracy. Today, judges in Nigeria face political interference, inadequate funding, and appointments based on loyalty rather than merit.”
He argued that the court system, once revered as the last hope of the common man, now often functions as an instrument of delay and manipulation.
“Without an independent judiciary, there are no checks and balances. No protection for the weak. No justice. Just a slow-motion democratic collapse.”
He called for election petitions to be decided before swearing-in ceremonies, for transparent judicial appointments, and for an end to “contradictory and politically convenient” court orders that have become hallmarks of election season.
Jega didn’t spare the press either. While acknowledging its critical role in democracy, he lamented the current environment of media intimidation, co-option, and censorship.
“In a democracy, the media must be free to expose wrongdoing, ask uncomfortable questions, and investigate without fear,” he said. “But in Nigeria today, journalists are harassed, denied access to information, or worse—bought off.”
He urged full enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act, calling it a “dead letter law” until government agencies are penalized for flouting it. At the same time, he warned the media to “hold itself to high ethical standards” to avoid becoming a tool for propaganda or hate speech.
As the man who once oversaw Nigeria’s elections, Jega spoke with authority on the limitations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“INEC is expected to conduct elections, prosecute electoral crimes, and regulate political parties. That’s too much. It needs to be unbundled.”
He recommended the creation of separate, independent bodies to handle prosecution and party regulation, leaving INEC to focus on the integrity of electoral processes.
“Technology has improved voting, but without transparency and standardization, even tech becomes a tool for manipulation. People must trust that their votes count—not just be told so.”
Professor Jega described Nigeria’s executive arm of government as bloated, unchecked, and increasingly disconnected from the people it claims to serve.
“Governors and the president control vast funds and appoint hundreds of aides, yet many cannot explain how budgets are spent—especially so-called security votes. The result is a culture of entitlement, not service.”
He proposed that the number of political appointees be slashed, and called for strict transparency, especially in security-related spending that often escapes public scrutiny.
“We cannot continue to reward loyalty over competence. The cost of bad governance is too high—and we’re already paying dearly.”
While Jega reserved his harshest criticisms for political leaders, he also directed a message at the public.
“Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. We cannot afford apathy. Citizens must reclaim their power—demand accountability, reject vote-buying, resist ethnic manipulation, and refuse to normalize corruption.”
He pushed for greater inclusion—not just rhetorically, but through structural changes: voting rights for Nigerians in the diaspora, early voting for critical workers, and legislative quotas for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
“Democracy must reflect the full spectrum of the people it serves. Otherwise, it’s fiction.”
In closing, Jega was somber but resolute:
“Let us not confuse civilian rule with democratic governance. That illusion has held us back for far too long. If we don’t change course, we risk total democratic decay.”
“This is not just about politics. It’s about the soul of our nation. If we act now—with courage, clarity, and urgency—Nigeria can still rise. But the window is closing.”
He ended with a rousing call: “Let the reforms begin. Let the people rise. Let democracy, finally, be real.”