The Deputy National Secretary, African Action Congress (AAC), Kunle Ajayi, has said Nigeria’s democratic system requires total overhaul to make governance more responsive to the needs of the people.

Mr Ajayi said this during an interview in Lagos on Wednesday, as Nigeria marks its 66th independence anniversary.

Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, and returned to democratic rule in 1999 after years of military rule.

He said the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s democratic journey and challenges.

Mr Ajayi said the country’s major challenge was not necessarily the system of government in operation but the manner in which political leaders and public officials had operated the system over the years.

According to him, government has increasingly become “pro-individual” rather than “pro-people,” with personal interests, political patronage and pursuit of power often taking precedence over citizens’ welfare.

He stated, “Nothing is fundamentally wrong with democracy as a system of government; the major problem is the people entrusted with political power and the way they operate the system,” he said.

Mr Ajayi listed corruption, lack of accountability, abuse of public office, electoral malpractice, weak institutions, political patronage, impunity and poor implementation of policies as factors undermining democracy.

He also identified excessive concentration of power, ethnic and sectional interests, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inadequate public services and weak citizens’ participation.

“The system cannot work effectively when public office is treated as an avenue for personal enrichment, political survival and patronage instead of a responsibility to serve the people,” Mr Ajayi said.

The AAC chieftain said Nigeria could learn from countries that attained independence around the same period by examining how their institutions, leadership and public policies contributed to development, rather than merely copying political structures.

He said the solution should include stronger and genuinely independent institutions, credible elections, transparent management of public resources, effective legislative oversight, judicial independence and strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws.

Mr Ajayi also called for greater devolution of powers and resources, stronger local governance, improved citizens’ participation and a political culture that holds elected officials accountable for campaign promises.

“We need to build institutions that can withstand political interference and ensure that whoever occupies public office understands that the resources of the country belong to the people,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to demand issue-based politics, credible leadership, responsible political parties and greater transparency from candidates seeking elective offices.

Mr Ajayi said political parties should strengthen internal democracy and provide platforms for competent Nigerians to participate in governance, rather than allowing offices to be dominated by individuals with financial and political influence.

He advocated sustained civic education, economic empowerment, investment in education and skills development, security sector reform and deliberate policies to create jobs and expand opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Democracy should not be measured only by the conduct of elections but also by the quality of life, freedom, justice, security and economic opportunities available to citizens.

“After 66 years of independence, Nigerians deserve a system that puts the people first, rewards competence and integrity, protects public resources and makes government genuinely accountable to the citizens,” Mr Ajayi said.

He urged political leaders, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to work together to strengthen democratic institutions and build a governance system capable of delivering sustainable development.

Mr Ajayi said the country could still overcome its challenges if Nigerians collectively demanded responsible leadership and insisted on accountability, transparency, justice and effective service delivery.

“The Nigeria we desire is possible, but we must overhaul the way we practise democracy, change our political culture and put the interest of the Nigerian people above personal and sectional interests,” he stated.
(NAN)