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June 12: How Democratic is Nigeria’s Democracy?
By Frankwhite Nzeh
The sacrifice of tears and blood of our heros (past and present) would have been in vain if our democracy remains undemocratic.
The people can not expect any form of loyalty from their political leaders until their votes begin to count.
The national assembly should as a matter of urgency, commence the process of rejigging our electoral laws to guarantee the integrity of future elections in the country. A situation where our extant laws leave loopholes through which election results could still be manipulated there by having leaders impose themselves on the system, cannot help our democracy, rather, it leaves us with an undemocratic system that promotes unaccountable leadership where impunity reigns. If this 10th national assembly can deliver on this, I think that would be their greatest gift to Nigerians and the average Nigerian would be most grateful.
Another most worrisome issue remains the level at which corruption has thrived in our democracy. One of the expectations from our hard earned democracy was the elimination of the hydra headed monster mitigating against the growth and progress of our society, is corruption (official and unofficial corruption).
The fact that after 25 years of our recent democratic experience, we this have major issues of corruption in high places is an indictment on the kind of democracy we have been running, a situation where political leaders and civil servants misappropriate funds with impunity leaves a lot to be desired. The sad part is the fact that there seems to be no sign that this situation is abating. No light at the end of the tunnel.
Again, I call on the national assembly to rise up to a national responsibility, irrespective of the fact that they might also be guilty of the same sin, but posterity will count it for or against them if they fail to rise to the occasion to rescue their nation against what has become a cancer eating up the fabrics of this nation
Finally, we should begin a process that must de-emphasize tribe and religion in our national existence, these twin monsters are among the major elements strangulating our national growth and progress as a people. We should beging a process that must give every citizen of this country a sense of belonging in every and any part of this country. If a Nigerian can aspire to and eventually attain a leadership position in America, why not in his country.
As we mark another June 12th in celebration of our hard earned democracy which is symbolized by the electoral victory of Late MKO Abiola, may we begin to ponder on some of the above realities that has held us from reaping the full benefits of our democracy
May Nigeria succeed!
Nzeh Frankwhite is an Abuja based journalist and filmmaker
Two Nigerian-born scientists—Adesola Adegoke, a researcher at Arizona State University (ASU), and Seunnla Adelusi, a PhD candidate at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada—have been named among the 20 global winners of the Digital GreenTalents Award 2025.
These two Nigerians were announced among the winners during a virtual ceremony held on 25 November. In a statement following the virtual announcement ceremony, the organisers said the 20 awardees for this year joined from different time zones, including “very early morning in Canada and evening hours in the Philippines.”
The digital Green Talent Award is an annual initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that recognises outstanding young researchers whose work advances sustainability through digital innovation.
Each year, 20 scientists are selected from a competitive global pool for their cutting-edge ideas at the intersection of digitalisation and environmental sustainability.
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
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