Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, raised alarm over Nigeria's deteriorating democratic system, stating that the country is at the brink of falling into anarchy due to irresponsible disregard for the rule of law by leaders and institutions.
During a courtesy visit to a delegation from the Niger Delta University Law Faculty, headed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Allen Agih, at the Government House in Yenagoa, Ewhrudjakpo was worried about the situation in the country's governance.
In a statement made available by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, the deputy governor emphasized that Nigeria's democracy is under serious threats.
"No one should be in any doubt that Nigeria is a democratic country. No, we are not a democratic society. We are just wearing the toga of civilians, but there is no democracy in this country at all, as far as I am concerned."
The Erosion of Democratic Principles in Nigeria
Ewhrudjakpo's comments are coming at a time when there are increasing concerns regarding governance failures, judicial inefficiencies, political repression, and human rights violations. The majority of Nigerians, human rights organizations, and political analysts have observed that the country is gradually moving away from democratic principles, and there are fears regarding the future of governance.
Judicial Inefficiencies and Abuse of Power
Nigeria's judiciary has been marked by inefficiency, delay, and lack of independence for decades. It is said that government agencies and political powers tend to ignore court rulings, undermining the rule of law. A study in 2024 showed that judicial corruption and executive interference are among the most significant factors in Nigeria's fragile legal system (World Justice Project).
Legal professionals have also lamented abuse of the court process by political elites, under which they exploit loopholes to pre-empt justice or escape culpability (TheNigeriaLawyer).
Nigeria's Declining Rule of Law Rankings
Based on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Nigeria's rule of law ranking has declined steadily over the last decade. The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index also placed Nigeria 121st out of 139 nations, down by 3.7% in its overall score. These figures point to increasing concerns regarding governance and legal integrity (World Justice Project).
Political Repression and Human Rights Abuses
The erosion of Nigeria's democratic institutions has been accompanied by increased political repression and human rights abuses.
- Crackdown on Protests: Amnesty International recently confirmed that at least 24 protesters were killed by Nigerian police in August 2024 during protests against the rising cost of living. Eyewitnesses reported that security forces shot live bullets at unarmed civilians (Reuters).
- Illegal Detentions: In a different case, 29 children on death row who were accused of participating in anti-government protests were released only after an international outcry (AP News).
- Press Freedom Restrictions: Nigerian journalists have faced increased restrictions, with media organizations being censored and intimidated. A few journalists have been arrested on questionable charges, and questions have been raised over press freedom and democracy (Committee to Protect Journalists).
Political Leaders and Analysts Sound the Alarm
Ewhrudjakpo is not alone in warning about Nigeria’s decline. In 2021, Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku cautioned that Nigeria was on the verge of becoming a failed state due to increasing insecurity and poor governance (Linda Ikeji’s Blog).
Similarly, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has insisted time and again on the urgent need for reforms to prevent the further erosion of Nigeria's democratic institutions.
The Road to Restoring Democracy
Analysts have suggested several critical reforms to prevent Nigeria's descent into wholesale anarchy:
- Judicial Independence: The judiciary must be empowered to work independently without the interference of the government. The government departments must obey the decisions of the court to restore confidence in the justice system.
- Electoral Reforms: The process of election should be strengthened so that the election is conducted fairly and freely. Mechanisms must be implemented to prevent vote-rigging, electoral violence, and manipulation.
- Accountability within the Security Sector: Police ought to be answerable for human rights abuses. Unnecessarily harsh treatment of civilians must be condemned and prosecuted.
- Protection of Press Freedom: Journalists must be free to work without repression or censorship. Media freedom is indispensable to democracy.
- Civic Engagement: Nigerian citizens need to be actively involved in governance through demanding accountability, transparency, and rule of law.
Nigeria is at the precipice. Bayelsa Deputy Governor's alarm, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, calls for embracing democratic reforms. The repeated disregard for obeying the rule of law, disrespect for human rights, and government failure would push the country further into the realm of instability unless checked.
The international community, civil society organizations, and people of Nigeria must act together to restore democracy and prevent the nation from sliding into complete anarchy.
The question remains: Will Nigeria heed these warnings and change direction, or will it proceed further on the path of democratic collapse?