Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has hit out at Nigerian mode of government.
Jega lashed out at it while presenting a paper titled: ‘Required Reforms for Stronger Democratic Institutions In Nigeria’, at the Platform Nigeria: June 12, 2025 Edition, organized by The Covenant Nation Global, Lagos.
The ex-INEC boss declared that Nigeria has not achieved democracy in its 26 years of civil rule due to the undemocratic nature of those in politics, saying, “As many scholars have long observed, no nation can build and sustain democracy, without democrats, i.e. civilians who understand what democracy; who imbibe its values and orientation, who respect democratic institutions and who operate within the context of basic tenets of democracy.
“And as many commentators have long observed, what we have since May 29, 1999 as democracy, has increasingly become “democrazy”! Characterized by desperate politicians who struggle to ‘win’ elections by any means necessary; who when in power recklessly misgovern, preoccupied with pursuit of self-serving objectives; essentially irresponsible, and irresponsive to the needs and aspirations of the electorate and the citizens.
“As to what to do under the circumstances? We need to train and reorient cadres of democrats, we need to recruit good decent people into politics; and we need to build and strengthen strong democratic institutions, which are resilient and can withstand and checkmate authoritarian predilections; and catalyze good, democratic governance that can satisfy the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian electorate and citizens.”
