Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said that Nigeria is yet to attain full democracy, despite transitioning from military rule to civilian governance in 1999.
Speaking on Thursday during a special Channels Television programme titled Nigeria’s Democratic Journey: An Inter-Generational Conversation on Building a Better Nation, Fayemi said the country has only achieved “semi-democracy” and must do more to deepen democratic values.
“What we mustn’t do is conflate elections with democracy,” Fayemi said. “What we got in 1999 was the right to vote, but what we are yet to get is real democracy.”
According to him, Nigeria has made progress in its democratic journey but remains far from meeting the standards of inclusive and accountable governance. “We now have civilian rule and are proudly on that journey, but we don’t have full democracy yet,” he stated.
Fayemi, who was a key figure in the pro-democracy movement during the military era, recalled his role in operating Radio Kudirat, a clandestine station that aired anti-regime messages under the General Sani Abacha dictatorship.
“I carried the transmitters of Radio Kudirat on an Air France flight to Lagos during the crisis,” he recounted. “We could have been arrested or killed. Those who lost their lives were not reckless; they were following their convictions.”
He added that many of the actors who risked their lives for democracy were fortunate to have survived, while others paid the ultimate price.
Despite his critique, Fayemi commended President Bola Tinubu for honouring individuals who contributed to Nigeria’s democratic struggle. “President Tinubu has shown a commitment to recognising our history and the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy,” he said.
Fayemi’s comments come as Nigeria marked June 12, the country’s official Democracy Day, in commemoration of the annulled 1993 presidential election widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.
