It is two years and two weeks since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over power from former President Muhammadu Buhari. His four year tenure started 29 May 2023. Until Buhari declared 12 June Democracy Day in June 2018, as part of his strategy to win a second term, ahead of the 2019 elections, 29 May used to declared Democracy Day …

In recent days, there has been considerable public reaction to the list of honorees announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in commemoration of Democracy Day. Understandably, questions have been raised about the omission of some individuals who paid dearly in the struggle for democratic governance in Nigeria. Let me begin by extending my heartfelt congratulations to my colleagues—Dapo Olorunyomi, Bayo …

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has lamented the state of Nigeria’s democracy, saying the country no longer qualifies to be regarded as a democratic nation. Obi, in a speech commemorating Democracy Day on Thursday, said the core elements of democracy are absent in the current system of governance in Nigeria. ‘Most unfortunately in our present …

Nigerians have continued to raise concerns over the shortcomings of democratic practice in Nigeria, citing persistent cases of lack of accountability by leaders, human rights abuses, repression, and the shutting down of dissenting voices. The alarm was raised by participants during a radio programme, ‘Public Conscience’ , produced by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG), on Wednesday in …

President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, said the country is undergoing a ‘popular, progressive revolution’ and not operating under a democratic system. He added that it is difficult to pinpoint a country that has developed practising democratic rule. Traore made the disclosure during a flag-raising ceremony at the Koulouba Palace last week. He said, ‘If we have to say …

The former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), expressed his excitement about the role his administration played in Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democracy. During the Inter Party Advisory Council public launch of its book, ‘100 Years Of Political Parties Evolution In Nigeria (1923 – 2023)’, held on Thursday in Abuja, the former military leader called on Nigerians to …

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has stated that Nigeria’s democracy endured severe setbacks under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, Dare claimed that successive administrations struggled to rectify the damage left by Obasanjo and that President Tinubu is now making significant progress in addressing …

Coalition of civil society organizations has said they’re seriously disturbed by the alarming and troubling rate with which the ruling All-Progressive Congress (APC) government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,has resorted to utilizing Nigeria’s security agencies as instruments of harassment, intimidation, and suppression against Labour groups and vocal civil society organizations (CSOs). In a Press statement jointly signed …

The late Gen. Sani Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, says Western democracy is not working for Nigeria. According to him, Nigeria must develop a system of government that suits its purpose rather than copy what is being practised in America. Describing himself as a democrat now, Al-Mustapha also condemned those calling for a coup in the country, saying …

United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has called for a return to democratic governance in several West African countries facing political instability. The appeal came following her recent diplomatic tour of the region which included visits to Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. In a briefing with President Bola Tinubu, Mohammed emphasised the urgent need for countries experiencing …