Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has lamented that democracy in Nigeria remains weak at the subnational levels, despite 65 years of independence.
In a statement on Tuesday to mark Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary, Adeyanju said the country has made little progress in securing the lives and property of its citizens.
“Independence means nothing without security. Nigeria must urgently strengthen its internal and territorial security so that citizens can feel safe in their homes, on their roads, and within their communities. Every other day we hear of ‘unknown gunmen’ unleashing terror across the nation. This cannot continue,” he warned.
Adeyanju argued that democracy has failed to take root outside the Federal Capital Territory, accusing state governors of wielding excessive powers without accountability.
“Today, democracy in Nigeria seems to exist only in Abuja; it is almost non-existent at the subnational levels. Our governors wield excessive power with little to no accountability, and they are shielded from scrutiny even as their salaries and allowances continue to rise,” he stated.
He also condemned the refusal of governors to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, describing it as a dangerous disregard for the rule of law.
Turning his criticism to the federal government, Adeyanju alleged that only about four ministers in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet are visible and effective, while others remain “ghost ministers.”
“True democracy must be rooted in accountability at every level, not just in the Federal Capital Territory. Only about four of our ministers are visible and working; the rest are missing in action and are only ministers by portfolio. A country of Nigeria’s magnitude and challenges cannot afford ghost ministers,” he said.
The activist stressed that Nigeria at 65 still struggles with accountability, security, and governance.
“Independence Day, to me, should not just be a date on the calendar. It should be an ongoing work of building a nation where democracy, accountability, and security are real for every Nigerian, not just a privileged few,” Adeyanju concluded.