As we join the global community to commemorate International Democracy Day today, we remind ourselves, as a nation, of the need to uphold the tenets of democracy. 

These include free speech, observance of civil liberties and the rule of law. It also includes the upholding of the ideals of democracy that are embedded in ensuring accountable institutions and the protection and promotion of human rights.

*Democracy in Nigeria has continued to suffer untold setbacks, heavily burdened by leadership failure which has brought about uncontrolled systemic corruption, high levels of insecurity, lack of freedom of speech, increasing poverty and unprecedented levels of hunger and hardship,*

*These problems have not only remained unsolved but are growing geometrically. The democratic ideals of the nation have, sadly, continued to erode with time, and today, we can be classified as a captured state where the citizens have continued to suffer untold hardship, deprivation and insecurity while the political leadership feasts on state resources.*

In every measurement of true democracy, we have continued to rank low and perform badly, signalling a critical deficiency in our democratic system. 

With a democracy index score of 4.23, Nigeria ranks low on the Global Democracy Index, and in other indices of democracy.

In the Corruption Perception Index, we are ranked 145th among the 180 countries measured, showing a high level of corruption in Nigeria.

In Rule of Law Measurement, we are ranked 120 out of 142 countries measured in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, showing that Nigeria suffers from gross disobedience to the rule of law.

The 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described Nigeria as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists. Freedom of speech is grossly suppressed and citizens are gagged from expressing their civic rights.

On a day like this, may we pause and examine our democratic journey as a nation and strive to build our nation on the solid rock of true democracy where every Nigerian is given a voice and a fair hearing, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation. 

This remains our commitment to the New Nigeria, and it is POssible. -PO