The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has said that Nigeria’s democracy remains worth defending despite the challenges facing the country’s electoral and governance systems.
He made the remark on Thursday at a public lecture held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
Akume called on Nigerians to take active roles in strengthening democratic institutions and protecting the country’s civil rule, noting that the nation has recorded significant progress since the return to democracy in 1999.
He described the past 27 years of civilian governance as a period of resilience and steady development, highlighting Nigeria’s eight consecutive general elections and peaceful transfers of power across political parties, including a historic transition from a ruling party to the opposition.
While acknowledging these gains, the SGF said concerns remain around electoral integrity, warning that allegations of corruption in the electoral process continue to weaken public trust.
“Democracy is not merely the act of voting; it is the guarantee that every vote counts equally,” he said.
Akume also pointed to achievements under democratic rule, including economic expansion, improved financial inclusion, infrastructure development such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, as well as reforms in the power sector.
He further referenced expanded access to education and healthcare through initiatives such as the Universal Basic Education programme, the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
He, however, cautioned that ethnic, religious, and regional divisions must not be allowed to undermine national unity or democratic stability.
Describing the lecture theme, “27 Years of Democratic Governance: Achievements, Challenges and the Road Ahead,” as a moment for national reflection, Akume urged Nigerians to reimagine the future of democracy over the next decades.
“Nigeria is worth all our sacrifices and our democracy is worth defending,” he said.
He added that both present and future generations bear the responsibility of building a nation that reflects the vision of the country’s founding fathers.
The statement was issued by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF.
