By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Nigeria’s Democracy Under Siege, INEC and Judiciary Failing Citizens – Ezekwesili
Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is drifting away from the people, accusing powerful political interests of capturing state institutions and weakening the voices of ordinary citizens.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Ezekwesili said the country’s democratic system has been hollowed out over time, with critical institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary losing public trust.
“Democracy is being captured by the powerful in most societies where it exists. The marginalization of citizens happened gradually, as people realized that the social contract with the state was failing them,” she explained.
She added that this erosion has created room for state capture, where governance is controlled by elites, leaving citizens powerless and disengaged.
“The INEC as an electoral umpire is compromised. They don’t have the trust of society. The judiciary has also engulfed itself in political shenanigans. And so, when you have this kind of complex situation, you see the massive mess we have these days,” she said.
Nigeria’s democratic project, restored in 1999 after years of military rule, has faced repeated tests of credibility. Successive elections have been plagued by irregularities, logistical lapses, and accusations of manipulation.
The controversial 2007 elections, for example, were widely condemned as one of the worst in the country’s history, while the 2019 and 2023 polls drew criticism over alleged vote-buying, violence, and the perceived failure of technology promised to ensure transparency.
INEC, charged with safeguarding the electoral process, has often struggled to maintain neutrality.
Court battles that follow almost every major election have further fueled doubts, as judicial decisions are frequently seen as influenced by political pressure rather than the rule of law.
Observers argue that these trends have contributed to widespread apathy among voters, with declining turnout signaling a lack of faith in the system.
Critics like Ezekwesili believe that unless institutions are reformed and citizens re-engaged, Nigeria risks deepening its crisis of democratic legitimacy.
Ezekwesili stressed that restoring faith in Nigeria’s democracy requires returning citizens to the center of governance.
“Freedom and active citizenship are essential for innovation and progress,” she said, adding that reforms are urgent as the country heads toward the 2027 general elections.
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