12/06/2026
THE DEMOCRACY WE WERE PROMISED: A MIRAGE OF PROGRESS
As we observe Democracy Day, I stand in solidarity with Nigerians whose resilience has been tested beyond measure by the harsh economic climate and the counter-productive policies of the current administration. While the calendar marks a celebration of democracy, the reality on the ground tells a story of profound disillusionment.
The government of the day continues to pay mere lip service to the core tenets of democratic governance. President Bola Tinubu, who once positioned himself as a champion of democracy during the NADECO years, has, through his actions since ascending to the presidency, proven to be the architect of a different kind of order—one that increasingly alienates the very people he claims to serve.
We must speak truth to power:
The Quest for a One-Party State: There is a visible, deliberate attempt to stifle the political landscape by sowing confusion and division within opposition parties that possess the potential to offer a credible alternative to the incumbent.
Silencing the Civic Voice: The persistent suppression of the media through draconian measures is an affront to the freedom of speech that is foundational to any democracy.
The Erosion of Checks and Balances: The annexation of the Executive arm over the National Assembly has effectively transformed the 10th Assembly into a rubber-stamp institution, stripping away the necessary oversight required to hold power accountable.
In his national address earlier today, the President urged Nigerian youth: "Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship."
This statement is not only hollow; it is an insult to the millions of young Nigerians whose futures have been systematically mortgaged by HE Tinubu-led governance. To ask the youth to "build here" while the administration destroys the very foundations of their economic stability is a cruel irony. The President’s speech is a jarring departure from the harsh ɓrealities Nigerians face daily—a reality where citizens are merely struggling to survive by grace, while those in power prioritize the consolidation of their own influence.
President Tinubu must stop the rhetoric and take responsibility for the failures of his government across all spheres—the economy, security, and social cohesion.
I challenge my fellow citizens, particularly the youth, to awaken to the reality of our condition. Do not be discouraged; rather, be empowered. The constitution grants the citizens the ultimate authority. You are the government. The power to "hire and fire" those who manage our collective destiny resides with you.
True democracy is not given; it is earned and protected. It is time for Nigerians to stand up, reclaim their civic agency, and entrench the democracy they desire—a democracy that serves the people, not the power-hungry.
Hon Ndubisi Nwobu, PhD (Obuka Awka),
ADC's Deputy Governorship Candidate (Anambra 2025)
