Why Nigerians must defend democracy – Akume

…sees electoral integrity as a major challenge

George Akume, the secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on Thursday, urged Nigerians to rise up in defense of democracy, declaring that Nigeria’s democracy is worth defending despite challenges confronting the nation’s electoral and governance systems.

Akume stated this at a public lecture held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, as part of activities commemorating the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

The Democracy Day lecture, themed “27 Years of Democratic Governance in Nigeria: Achievements, Challenges and the Road Ahead,” brought together policymakers, academics, and stakeholders, to review Nigeria’s political trajectory over the years, at the State House.

Nigeria is currently celebrating 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, from 1999 to 2026.

While acknowledging the gains of democratic governance, Akume said Nigeria must confront lingering challenges threatening the credibility of its democratic process.

He identified electoral integrity as a major concern, stressing that allegations of corruption within the electoral system continue to undermine public confidence. “Democracy is not merely the act of voting; it is the guarantee that every vote counts equally,” he stated.

The SGF highlighted achievements recorded under democratic rule, including economic expansion, improved financial inclusion and investments in critical infrastructure such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

He also pointed to reforms in the power sector and expanded access to education and healthcare through initiatives such as the Universal Basic Education programme, the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

He, however, cautioned against allowing ethnic, religious and regional divisions to weaken the country’s democratic foundations, even as he called for a sincere assessment of Nigeria’s democratic experience, urging citizens and institutions to interrogate their performance in meeting the aspirations of the people.

Describing the theme of the lecture, “27 Years of Democratic Governance: Achievements, Challenges and the Road Ahead,” as an opportunity for national reflection, the SGF challenged Nigerians to envision the kind of democracy they desire over the next 27 years.

According to him, “Nigeria is worth all our sacrifices and our democracy is worth defending,” Akume said.

“The present and upcoming generations are standing on the shoulders of those who struggled for civil rule, and they have both the responsibility and the opportunity to build the nation our founding fathers envisioned and which our children deserve to inherit”, Akume noted.

Ayo Omotayo, the Director General DG, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Study, NIPSS, in his lecture, provided a strategic, evidence-based assessment of Nigeria’s progress and the key reforms needed to consolidate the nation’s democratic institutions.

He described Nigeria’s democratic journey since the return to civilian governance in 1999, as a period marked by “resilience, determination and significant progress”

He, therefore, charged Nigerians to play active roles in strengthening democratic institutions and safeguarding the country’s hard-earned civil rule.

He stressed that despite the challenges, Nigeria ” successfully conducted eight consecutive general elections and witnessed peaceful transfers of power across political parties and regions, including a historic transition from a ruling party to the opposition.”