Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has downplayed the existence of democracy at the subnational levels in Nigeria despite the country’s 65th independence.
Adeyanju said democracy only exists in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria and not at the subnational levels, 65 years after independence.
In a statement he signed to mark Nigeria’s independence anniversary, the activist said there is no sign that the country is making any progress.
He accused state governors of holding so much power with little accountability.
According to Adeyanju: “As Nigeria marks another Independence Day, it is important for us to reflect on the state of our democracy.
“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 accused state governors of disregarding the Judiciary, stressing that the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy “remains largely unenforced.”
“Less than a year ago, 19 state governors nearly crippled the EFCC. But for the intervention of the judiciary, the fight against corruption would have suffered a fatal blow.
“This same disregard for accountability is the same reason that the judgment of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy remains largely unenforced. Leaders cannot pick and choose which laws to obey,” he said.
The rights lawyer said only four ministers are working under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He noted that a country like Nigeria can’t afford to have ghost ministers.
“True democracy must be rooted in accountability at every level, not just in the Federal Capital Territory. When we turn to the ministers, the picture is no better.
“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.
He challenged the current leadership of the country to urgently address the issue of insecurity, noting that it would enable Nigerians to feel safer both at home and on the road.
Adeyanju added: “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.
“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.”
Nigeria at 65: Democracy only exists in Abuja, no sign of progress – Adeyanju