June 12 Special: Nigerians Reflect On Democracy Since 1999, Demand Better Governance

By Anayo Onukwugha (Port Harcourt), Babaji Usman Babaji (Gombe), Felix Igbekoyi (Asaba), Aza Msue (Kaduna), Attah Anthony (Jalingo), Damilola Origbemisuyi (Akure), Richard Ndoma (Calabar), and Nnamdi Mbawike (Enugu)
Nigeria’s Democracy Day offers another moment of reflection on the country’s democratic journey since the return to civilian rule in 1999. Twenty-seven years after the transition, many Nigerians acknowledge that democratic governance has expanded political participation and preserved constitutional order, but argue that expectations around economic wellbeing, security, and accountable leadership remain only partially fulfilled.
Across the states, respondents painted a pict...