Democracy, in its classical and modern understanding, goes beyond the mere existence of elected civilians in government.
It encompasses popular sovereignty, rule of law, separation of powers, accountability, free and fair elections, protection of civil liberties, and meaningful citizen participation in governance. When assessed against these benchmarks, a fundamental question arises: Is Nigeria truly practicing democracy, or merely operating under civil rule?
Civil rule simply means governance by civilians rather than military officers. Democracy, however, is a deeper and more demanding system—one in which power genuinely resides with the people and leaders govern with their consent under clearly defined constitutional limits.
Nigeria returned to civilian governance in 1999 after years of military dictatorship. While this transition ended overt military rule, it did not automatically institutionalize democratic culture. What Nigeria has largely practiced since then is electoral civilianism, not consolidated democracy.
Elections are the heartbeat of democracy. In Nigeria, elections are routinely conducted, yet they are persistently marred by irregularities—vote buying, intimidation, violence, logistical failures, judicial manipulation, and elite capture of electoral institutions.
The credibility of elections has suffered greatly, leading many citizens to believe that leaders emerge more from elite consensus and judicial affirmation than from the genuine will of the electorate. When citizens lose confidence in elections, democracy becomes hollow, reduced to ritual without substance.
A true democracy is governed by laws, not by men. In Nigeria, however, the rule of law is often applied selectively. Powerful political actors like Governors frequently evade accountability, while ordinary citizens bear the full weight of the law.
Court orders are sometimes disobeyed by state institutions, prolonged pre-trial detentions persist, and anti-corruption efforts appear politicized. Where laws do not bind the powerful, democracy is fundamentally compromised.
Nigeria operates a highly centralized federal system that contradicts the principles of democratic federalism. Power and resources are concentrated at the center, leaving states and local governments financially dependent and politically constrained.
This overcentralization weakens institutions, encourages rent-seeking, and undermines grassroots participation. Local governments, which should be the closest democratic units to the people, are largely controlled by state governors, reducing democracy at the base to an illusion.
Another indicator of democratic health is citizen engagement. In Nigeria, voter apathy is rising, particularly among young people. Many citizens no longer believe their votes count or that government represents their interests.
Peaceful protests are often met with excessive force or legal restrictions, shrinking civic space and reinforcing public cynicism. A democracy that fears its citizens’ voices is already in distress.
Although Nigeria enjoys a relatively vibrant media landscape, journalists and media organizations face intimidation, harassment, and regulatory pressures. Whistleblowers and critics of government policies are often labeled as enemies of the state.
When the press is constrained, accountability weakens, and democracy slides toward authoritarian civilian rule.
Nigeria today operates under civil rule with democratic features, but not a fully functioning democracy. The presence of elections, a constitution, and civilian leaders creates the appearance of democracy, yet the substance—popular sovereignty, accountability, rule of law, and institutional independence—remains fragile.
Democracy is not defined by the absence of military uniforms in government houses, but by the presence of justice, transparency, and genuine consent of the governed.
For Nigeria to transition from civil rule to true democracy, several reforms are imperative:
1. Electoral reform to guarantee credible, transparent, and verifiable elections.
2. Judicial independence and strict adherence to the rule of law.
3. Political restructuring and decentralization to strengthen federalism and local governance.
4. Protection of civil
liberties, including the right to protest and free expression.
5. Institutional accountability, ensuring no individual or office is above the law.
Nigeria’s democratic journey remains unfinished. What exists is a civilian-controlled state with democratic aspirations, not yet a democracy in the true sense. Until power genuinely belongs to the people and institutions serve public interest rather than elite privilege, Nigeria will continue to practice civil rule wearing the garments of democracy.
True democracy is not declared; it is built—patiently, courageously, and collectively.
Anaenugwu Ndubuisi is an economist and Ambassador General of GGM
