Ozekhome Questions Nigeria’s Democratic Journey
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin City
Legal luminary and rights advocate, Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, has questioned Nigeria democracy’s effectiveness in delivering good governance to it’s citizens.
Speaking during the 2025 Midwest Awards held in Benin City, where he delivered a thought-provoking public lecture titled “Has Democracy Led to Good Governance in Nigeria?” Ozekhome critically examined the nation’s democratic journey while acknowledging its few benefits.
According to him, Nigeria’s democracy has ushered in political freedoms and increased civic engagement, yet these have not translated into significant improvements in the quality of life for the average Nigerian.
“Good governance is not measured by economic statistics alone, but by the well-being of the people,” he said, pointing to persistent challenges such as inaccessible healthcare, an ailing education system, rising insecurity, and widespread economic hardship.
Ozekhome argued that the problem is not democracy itself but the failure to deepen its core values—accountability, inclusivity, and visionary leadership.
“Democracy has not necessarily failed, but it has not yet succeeded in delivering good governance. The question we must ask is not just whether democracy has made us better off, but whether we have built a system that truly works for all Nigerians,” he stated.
He lamented that bad governance in Africa, including Nigeria, has perpetuated poverty, unemployment, post-election violence, and insecurity.
To address these issues, he called for the institutionalisation of development-focused governance, emphasising that the fight against corruption must be a core component of democratic governance.
“Corruption is at the heart of our democratic failures, and it must be tackled at all levels—political, financial, and institutional,” he warned.
Chief Ozekhome decried the rampant political corruption that continues to undermine Nigeria’s democracy. He noted that while financial corruption is often prosecuted, political corruption—such as electoral manipulation, voter suppression, and abuse of power—remains largely unchecked.
“Our electoral process has been hijacked by the political elite, who manipulate outcomes to serve their interests. Nigeria’s election history is replete with cases of vote-buying, electoral fraud, and judicial compromises in election adjudication,” he remarked.
He proposed stiffer penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for politicians and their agents found guilty of electoral malpractices, arguing that free and fair elections are the foundation of legitimacy, transparency, and accountability.
Furthermore, he suggested that the African Union’s peer review mechanism should impose sanctions on governments that fail to uphold democratic values.
Ozekhome highlighted the frequent disregard for the rule of law as a major setback to good governance. He asserted that Nigeria’s democratic institutions are built around individuals rather than strong systems, making them susceptible to manipulation by the ruling elite.
“Political corruption, abuse of power, judicial ineptitude, and the absence of due process have further pauperised the majority of Nigerians.
“We must shift our focus to strengthening institutions so that individual leaders, no matter how powerful, find them too strong to manipulate for selfish gains,” he said.
He emphasised the need to empower the judiciary, anti-corruption agencies, and electoral bodies to function independently, without interference from politicians or vested interests.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria acknowledged that while democracy in Nigeria has led to some positive developments—including the establishment of democratic institutions and periodic elections—it has failed to deliver true governance for all Nigerians.
“Accountability, transparency, inclusiveness, and the rule of law—principles central to good governance—remain underdeveloped in Nigeria.
Corruption, political interference, and inefficiency have crippled government institutions, preventing them from fulfilling the promises of democracy,” he observed.
He warned that if these issues are not confronted, Nigeria would remain trapped in a cycle of stagnation, endlessly chasing the illusion of progress without achieving real change.
“Without transparency and genuine reform, democracy will remain a mere label, rather than a system that truly benefits the people,” he cautioned.
To ensure that democracy leads to good governance in Nigeria, Ozekhome called for deeper political and electoral reforms. He outlined key steps, including:
Strengthening democratic institutions such as the judiciary, electoral commission, and anti-corruption agencies; enforcing strict accountability measures for political office-holders; promoting political education and civic engagement to empower the electorate.
Ensuring electoral integrity and fairness through transparent and enforceable electoral laws.
“As we continue this democratic journey, we must ask ourselves: Will Nigeria’s democracy eventually fulfill its promise of good governance, or will we remain stuck in a system that benefits only a few?” Ozekhome queried.
The legal icon concluded his lecture with a call to action, urging Nigerians to demand greater accountability from their leaders and actively participate in the democratic process. He emphasized that democracy is only as strong as the institutions and values that uphold it.
“The success of democracy in Nigeria depends on whether we, as a people, are willing to fight for the governance we deserve. It is not enough to hold elections; we must ensure that democracy delivers for the common man,” he asserted.
His lecture, rich in legal and socio-political insight, left the audience with a crucial reflection on the future of Nigeria’s democracy—whether it will remain a system that enriches the elite or evolve into a governance model that truly serves the people.
