Leaders and thought influencers gathered on Thursday to call for a true and people-focused democracy in Nigeria, marking 26 years since the country transitioned back to civilian government after decades of military rule. The discussion took place during Channels Television’s special June 12 forum, a momentous event tagged ‘Nigeria’s Democratic Journey: An Inter-Generational Conversation On Building A Better Nation’.
Among the notable speakers were former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; political activist, Usman Bugaje; social entrepreneur, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji; Jamiu Abiola, son of late democracy icon MKO Abiola; Nollywood veteran actress, Kate Henshaw; and House of Representatives member, Bello El-Rufai.
Fayemi, who was a key player in the pro-democracy movement and operated Radio Kudirat during the struggle, noted that although Nigeria had re-established the right to vote, true democracy remained a far-reaching goal. He explained, “What we mustn’t do is to conflate elections with democracy. What we got was to reestablish the right to vote for our leaders into office in 1999; what we are yet to get is real democracy.”
While acknowledging Nigeria’s progress since 1999, Fayemi emphasized that the country’s current political economy could not yield good governance. “For things to change, we need a shift to a people-centered approach to governance,” he said.
Nigeria’s Democracy Must Serve the People
Political activist Usman Bugaje, whose contributions have long focused on the needs of the ordinary citizen, asserted that democracy must impact the lives of the masses, not just a select few. “We’ve graduated from speeches meant to sound politically correct. What we need is real action — policies that change lives and a government that serves the people,” Bugaje stated. He further lamented the current political structure, claiming that the system had failed to meet its core purpose of ensuring citizens’ welfare, adding, “The real question is: are the people being served?”
Despite his critique, Bugaje expressed faith in the democratic process, calling for leaders with genuine conviction and commitment to the people’s cause.
Democracy Not Felt by the Masses
Actress Kate Henshaw echoed Bugaje’s sentiments, stating that democracy had not positively impacted the everyday lives of Nigerians. “Everything around us is crumbling,” Henshaw lamented, highlighting the lack of security, social welfare, and the unaccountability of leaders as key issues that continued to plague Nigeria.
Reforming the System, Not the Democracy
Bello El-Rufai, son of the former governor of Kaduna State, weighed in by asserting that Nigeria had achieved democracy, but the problem lay within the system itself. He emphasized that the country’s democratic structure could not be blamed entirely, urging young people to understand the complexities of political leadership. “It’s not that APC (All Progressives Congress) is the problem. We have had good leaders from that party, like Governor Fayemi and Governor Fashola,” El-Rufai stated.
The Vision for a Better Nigeria
Jamiu Abiola, reflecting on the lost potential of his father, MKO Abiola, who was elected president in 1993 but was denied office, shared a vision of what Nigeria might have been had Abiola been allowed to govern. “Nigeria would have been better because it was a time of international economic boom, a time we could have capitalized on,” he recalled. “Instead, we got a kleptocrat as head of state,” he added, referencing the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha.
A Focus on Social Development
Social entrepreneur Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji urged for a shift in focus from celebrating Nigeria’s democratic history to addressing the tangible outcomes of democracy. “We need to move from discussing democracy as a concept to what it truly means for a generation disconnected from June 12,” she said. “Poverty remains rampant, and the economic indices don’t reflect the true situation. The democracy Nigeria needs is one of equal opportunity and social development.”
Looking Forward, Not Backward
In conclusion, the conversation during the June 12 forum underscored the need for a people-focused democracy that prioritizes action over rhetoric. As Nigeria marks over two decades of civilian rule, the call for reform and accountability has never been louder.