By Akin Samuel Kayode
A young political activist waits outside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in Lagos, only to be turned away while a ruling party meeting proceeds unhindered inside. This scene, repeated across the nation, captures the subtle yet alarming shifts in Nigeria’s democracy. What was once a system built on contestation and accountability is increasingly showing signs of centralised authority and diminished political pluralism.
Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigerians have celebrated democratic progress. Yet today, the concentration of power, manipulation of institutions, and suppression of dissent suggest that the country is moving toward a monarchial style of governance, not in name, but in practice. Opposition voices are weakened, the legislature is subdued, and state resources appear to be wielded as instruments of loyalty rather than public good.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) recently became the latest example of this worrying trend. The party publicly demanded the resignation of the INEC chairman, claiming that the commission had acted in favour of the ruling party and against the interests of opposition parties. The ADC’s leadership warned that Nigeria’s democracy is being “systematically dismantled from within,” highlighting the existential threat to multiparty competition.
The immediate issue arose when INEC withdrew recognition of the elected leadership of the ADC, citing internal legal disputes. ADC leaders argued that this went far beyond legal technicalities, effectively paralyzing their organisational operations at a crucial time. They insisted that such interference undermines the fairness of the political system and the right of citizens to make genuine choices.
This interference is far from isolated. Opposition governors, legislators, and activists often face selective legal harassment, media vilification, and disproportionate security restrictions. These measures are often justified as legal or security obligations, yet they disproportionately affect political opponents, fostering a climate of fear that chills dissent and stifles alternative ideas.
The use of security agencies further reflects the imbalance. Opposition rallies are frequently restricted, while pro-government events proceed without hindrance. When citizens perceive that the enforcement of law favours loyalty over fairness, confidence in democratic institutions erodes, and the playing field for political competition becomes uneven.
Electoral bodies, intended to guarantee free and fair elections, also face credibility challenges. While their decisions may technically comply with court directives, the perception of bias undermines trust. When INEC’s neutrality is questioned, the very essence of electoral democracy — genuine choice for the people — is compromised.
Economic governance presents another layer of concern. The federal budgets for 2023, 2024, and 2025 have seen limited implementation, with key developmental projects delayed or abandoned. Capital expenditure has lagged behind recurrent spending, depriving critical sectors and citizens of planned resources and hampering national progress.
Overlapping and delayed budgets further compound the problem. The simultaneous operation of multiple fiscal years creates confusion, diminishes accountability, and makes it difficult to assess governmental performance. Citizens are left uncertain about whether promised projects will ever materialise.
The National Assembly, tasked with oversight, has largely failed to provide robust checks on executive power. Borrowing requests and budget adjustments are approved with minimal debate, signalling a legislature that has been politically subdued. Rapid approvals of trillions of naira in loans raise questions about scrutiny, prudence, and the independence of lawmakers.
Such concentration of power and weak oversight raises the question: when opposition parties cannot function freely and legislative scrutiny is absent, can democracy truly survive in its intended form? The answer appears increasingly uncertain as institutions designed to protect accountability are compromised.
The political dominance of the ruling party is further cemented through defections. Numerous opposition figures have switched allegiance, often in exchange for positions or protection, undermining the very idea of competitive politics. When political loyalty is rewarded over principles, the electorate’s meaningful choice is restricted, and governance begins to resemble centralised authority rather than participatory democracy.
Beyond institutions, citizens’ trust in governance is declining. When political power is concentrated and opposition voices silenced, public engagement weakens. Apathy rises, and the democratic contract between leaders and the governed is eroded, leaving a hollow form of representation.
While Nigeria remains a democracy in name, the cumulative effects of institutional interference, compromised elections, subdued legislature, unimplemented budgets, and weakened opposition mirror the characteristics of monarchical governance, even without hereditary succession. The danger lies not in titles but in the erosion of checks, balances, and accountability that democracy requires to thrive.
Reversing this trajectory requires urgent action. Electoral institutions must operate independently, security agencies must uphold neutrality, budgets must be fully implemented, and the National Assembly must reclaim its constitutional authority. Citizens, civil society, and all democratic actors must remain vigilant to ensure Nigeria does not drift further toward centralised, unaccountable rule.
Nigeria’s democracy is too valuable to allow its erosion. If left unchecked, the nation risks evolving into a system where power is concentrated, opposition is marginalised, and the voice of the people is diminished. Nigerians must act now to defend institutions, uphold accountability, and ensure that democracy remains a system truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Akin Samuel Kayode is a member, Narrative Command Committee.
Secretary, Research, Writing and Grassroot Messaging Committee.
The Narrative Force.
