— A Reflection on Nigeria’s Journey Under President Tinubu and the APC
June 12 is commemorated as Democracy Day in Nigeria—a day that marks the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely hailed as the freest and fairest in the country’s history.
That election, won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, symbolized hope: a promise of national unity, political maturity, and electoral integrity.
But more than three decades later, one must ask: Has Nigeria fulfilled the promise of that democratic dawn? Or has June 12 been reduced to a hollow ritual—an emblem of broken promises wrapped in patriotic fanfare?
In 2025, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), a growing number of Nigerians are left wondering: Is this still Democracy Day, or has it morphed into “Democrazy Day”—a dark parody of governance where power prevails over people?
President Tinubu, once a revered pro-democracy advocate and a prominent NADECO figure during the Abacha years, was a close ally of Abiola and a staunch defender of the June 12 legacy. His democratic credentials were earned in exile and admired by many.
Ironically, his presidency now finds itself under scrutiny for policies and practices that appear to undermine the very principles he once championed.
Since taking office in 2023, Tinubu’s administration has been marked by a series of challenges that have tested the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy:
The abrupt removal of fuel subsidies triggered economic hardship nationwide, implemented without a robust safety net for vulnerable citizens.
The naira redesign and monetary policy turbulence during the 2023 elections raised serious concerns about institutional independence and policy planning.
Insecurity remains rife, with banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency continuing to destabilize communities.
The 2023 general elections were tainted by allegations of manipulation, voter suppression, and judicial bias—casting long shadows over their legitimacy.
Although INEC introduced technology like BVAS and IReV with promises of transparency, their inconsistent performance and failure to ensure real-time transmission of results further eroded public trust. Many citizens viewed the outcome not as a triumph of democracy but as a coronation orchestrated by elite interests.
Meanwhile, the judiciary—often described as the last hope of the common man—has come under increasing suspicion. Its rulings, especially in post-election litigations, are perceived by many as disconnected from public sentiment and tilted toward those in power.
Civic space continues to shrink. Journalists, whistleblowers, and civil society voices face harassment and intimidation. Peaceful protests are criminalized, and dissent is often branded as treasonous.
For the ordinary Nigerian, democracy has yet to deliver economic dignity. Inflation remains stubbornly high. Unemployment persists. The gulf between the wealthy elite and the struggling masses widens daily.
While government officials speak of GDP growth and fiscal metrics, most citizens ask for something simpler: food on the table, electricity, clean water, basic healthcare, and safety. Even these modest demands often go unmet.
A democracy that does not protect, feed, or uplift its people cannot claim to represent them. If June 12 once symbolized the power of the people, today’s Nigeria feels like a betrayal of that promise.
June 12 should not be reduced to a public holiday filled with speeches and ceremonies. It must serve as a national day of introspection—a moment to confront uncomfortable truths and chart a course toward democratic renewal.
To reclaim the spirit of June 12, Nigeria must:
Ensure truly independent, transparent, and credible elections.
Reinforce judicial integrity and the rule of law.
Expand civic space and safeguard press freedom.
Hold leaders accountable through effective anti-corruption institutions.
Build an inclusive economy that works for the many, not the privileged few.
Democracy is not a destination. It is a living process—requiring vigilance, justice, participation, and equity.
If democracy means "government of the people, by the people, for the people," then what we currently have feels more like "government of the few, by the powerful, for themselves."
So, is June 12 still Democracy Day—or has it become Democrazy Day?
The answer does not lie in official declarations or commemorative events. It lies in the lived realities of everyday Nigerians—and in our collective will to reclaim a democracy worth its name.
