- condemns system that favours the rich while millions suffer poverty
By John Dike, Osogbo
As Nigerians commemorate another Democracy Day amid worsening economic hardship, insecurity and growing public frustration over governance, the Chairman of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), Comrade (Dr.) Waheed Lawal, has declared that democracy is not the problem facing Nigeria, but rather the failure of the country’s political elite to uphold democratic principles.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Lawal argued that what currently exists in Nigeria falls short of the ideals upon which democracy is built.
According to him, democracy is founded on the principles of accountability, transparency, popular participation and the protection of citizens’ welfare.
However, he lamented that the Nigerian experience has increasingly become one in which political power serves the interests of a privileged few while millions of ordinary citizens continue to struggle under harsh economic conditions.
“Democracy itself is not failing. What is failing is the commitment of the Nigerian political elite to democratic values and principles. What we currently practice resembles a plutocracy more than a democracy a government of the rich, by the rich and for the rich.
“It is difficult to describe a system as democratic when public policies consistently favour a small political class while millions of ordinary Nigerians cannot afford basic necessities such as food, healthcare, housing and quality education,” he said.
Lawal observed that despite over two decades of uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999, many Nigerians are yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy. Instead, citizens continue to grapple with inflation, unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure and declining living standards.
He noted that democracy goes beyond the conduct of elections, stressing that genuine democracy must guarantee accountability and meaningful citizen participation in governance.
“Democracy is not merely about conducting elections every four years. It is about ensuring that government remains accountable to the people, that public resources are managed responsibly and that citizens have meaningful opportunities to influence decisions affecting their lives,” he stated.
The civil society leader warned against growing cynicism among Nigerians who have begun to question the value of democracy because of the failures of those entrusted with political power.
According to him, abandoning democratic ideals would be a grave mistake because the shortcomings currently being experienced are products of leadership failures rather than defects in democracy itself.
“We must not lose faith in democracy simply because some individuals have abused the system. The challenge before Nigerians is to reclaim democratic institutions from those who have turned governance into a commercial enterprise and public service into a means of personal enrichment.”
Addressing concerns about what many Nigerians describe as erratic leadership at various levels of government, Lawal argued that the problem stems from systemic weaknesses that reward political patronage rather than competence, integrity and accountability.
He explained that many public office holders view government as a source of privilege instead of a platform for service, thereby creating a culture of impunity and irresponsibility.
“When leaders are insulated from the consequences of their actions, governance inevitably becomes erratic. Public officials begin to behave as though they owe citizens no explanation for their decisions. This is dangerous for any democracy.”
To address the nation’s leadership and governance challenges, Lawal advocated comprehensive political restructuring aimed at reducing the cost of governance and bringing government closer to the grassroots.
He argued that Nigeria’s political structure has become excessively expensive to maintain, consuming resources that should otherwise be invested in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and job creation.
“The cost of governance in Nigeria is simply unsustainable. Political office should not be the most lucrative business venture in the country.
“We must reform our institutions in ways that reduce waste, eliminate unnecessary privileges and ensure that public resources are directed toward improving the lives of citizens.”
He stressed that genuine restructuring would empower local communities, strengthen grassroots governance and make elected officials more responsive to the needs of the people.
Lawal also emphasized the need for massive civic education campaigns across the country.
According to him, one of the greatest strengths of the ruling class has been its ability to exploit ethnic and religious differences to distract citizens from issues of governance and accountability.
“The ruling elite have mastered the art of dividing citizens through religion and ethnicity. As long as people continue to view one another as enemies based on tribe or faith, they will struggle to unite around common economic and political interests.
“We must educate artisans, traders, market women, students and young people to understand that poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment are largely products of bad governance rather than ethnic differences.”
Lawal further identified electoral integrity as a critical pillar of democratic development.
According to him, leaders often act without accountability because many citizens have lost confidence in the electoral process.
“When politicians know that elections can be won or lost solely on the basis of the people’s will, they will become more accountable.
“The ballot box remains the most powerful tool available to citizens in any democracy. We must defend its sanctity and resist all attempts to undermine the credibility of elections.”
Active Citizenship Beyond Social Media
The OCSC chairman urged Nigerians to move beyond online criticism and embrace active citizenship.
“Power concedes nothing without demand. Citizens cannot afford to remain passive observers. They must actively engage their elected representatives, attend community meetings, participate in public discussions and demand transparency from government officials.”
He also described peaceful protest as a legitimate democratic tool for demanding accountability from leaders who fail to meet their responsibilities.
Nigeria Is Poorly Managed, Not Poor
Despite the challenges confronting the nation, Lawal expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, insisting that the country possesses enormous human and natural resources capable of driving national prosperity.
“Nigeria is not a poor country. It is a poorly managed country. Our problems are largely the result of policy failures, corruption and weak institutions rather than a lack of wealth.”
He further argued that poverty has weakened the ability of citizens to challenge bad governance and hold leaders accountable.
“The leadership appears erratic because the followership has been silenced by poverty. A hungry population often struggles to hold leaders accountable. That is why economic empowerment and political education must go hand in hand.”
As Nigerians reflect on the nation’s democratic journey, Lawal urged citizens not to surrender to hopelessness but to continue demanding reforms that will strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that governance truly serves the interests of the people.
“The task before us is not to abandon democracy but to deepen it. The solution lies in building institutions that serve the people, strengthening accountability and ensuring that leadership remains a responsibility rather than a privilege,” he concluded.
