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By Nefishetu Yakubu
A former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Mike Igini, has stressed the need for strengthening Nigeria’s federal system through empowered local governments and democratic council elections.
Igini told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that effective local governance would reduce excessive political competition and deliver democratic dividends to citizens.
“Meaningful local governance will reduce excessive political competition at the federal level and bring democratic dividends closer to the people,” he said.
Igini also advocated for stronger power-sharing mechanisms and consensus-building arrangements to effectively manage Nigeria’s diversity and promote national cohesion across different ethnic groups.
He warned that elections alone might aggravate divisions in a multi-cultural society like Nigeria if critical national issues were not addressed through dialogue and consensus.
“If we do not settle certain issues through consensus-building arrangements, elections alone may produce greater divisions within our diverse society,” he warned.
The former REC also stated that the 2027 general elections would be a special test for the nation’s democratic journey.
“The votes of Nigerians should be the verdict that will matter most, given the level of discontent.
Assessing the impact of uninterrupted democratic rule on ordinary Nigerians, Igini expressed concern over what he described as the gradual disempowerment of voters.
He cautioned that growing national dissatisfaction and frustration could trigger serious consequences if citizens continued to feel excluded from meaningful democratic participation.
“Every election is a test, but the 2027 election will be more than a test.
“We should not allow the lights of democracy to go out in Nigeria. It is time we learn to win some and lose some, according to the desires of voters,” he said.
Igini emphasised that for democracy to be meaningful, the votes of citizens must count, stressing that this was the only way representatives would not become apathetic and stoic to their developmental needs.
He, however, noted that Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule had produced valuable lessons despite persistent governance challenges.
According to him, democracy requires continuous sacrifice, vigilance and citizens’ commitment to protecting its expected dividends.
“We have learnt many lessons, some beneficial and others not so beneficial, but above all, democracy demands persistent vigilance and sacrifice,” he stated.
Speaking on how well Nigerians had fared under democracy, Igini said the verdict remained inconclusive, as key democratic promises were still being tested.
“The jury is still out because of the two fundamental promises of democracy, which are: security that enables prosperity and liberty from tyranny which remains under test,” he stated.
Igini called on Nigerians to actively safeguard democratic values, as no individual or institution can guarantee those expectations on behalf of the citizens.
On dividends of democracy, the former electoral chief said that citizens’ benefits would depend largely on their ability to hold elected representatives accountable through active participation in governance.
He expressed the regret that public participation had been reduced mainly to voting, while elections were gradually becoming mere performative exercises lacking genuine accountability mechanisms.
“Unfortunately, that participation has become abridged and narrowed down to voting, and the voting itself is gradually becoming mere performative ceremonies.
“If voting must be meaningful, citizens must ensure it goes beyond ritual and becomes a true opportunity for hiring and firing representatives,” he said.
According to him, public confidence in the electoral process remains a major achievement that must be sustained through transparency and accountability.
“That citizens still have faith in the power of the vote is a remarkable achievement, but it can only endure through transparency and accountability,” he submitted.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
NY/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
