Democracy: “Citizens Are Not Smiling,” Says Political Science Association

As Nigeria marks 26 years of uninterrupted democracy since the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) has raised alarm over the glaring disconnect between governance and the lived realities of citizens.

In a statement titled “Nigeria Democracy @26: Citizens Are Not Smiling,” issued by its national president, Professor Hassan Saliu, the association lamented the deep-rooted challenges hindering democratic development in the country.

“Despite various policy initiatives by successive administrations, the benefits of democracy have not been equitably distributed,” the statement noted.

According to the NPSA, Nigeria’s democratic system continues to be plagued by:

• Authoritarian leadership traits inherited from military rule

• Compromised electoral integrity and party-switching for selfish gains

• A lack of ideological depth among parties

• Polarization and limited opposition space

• Neo-liberal economic dependency and poor policy implementation

“Budgets are loaded with questionable items that favor politicians while citizens suffer,” Prof. Saliu added, citing the marginalization of middle-class Nigerians and academic professionals.

The association emphasized that democracy has primarily benefited the ruling class while leaving the majority of Nigerians behind, struggling with economic hardship, limited access to quality services, and poor governance.

“It is essential to reorient the political system toward developmental politics that prioritize citizens’ needs.”

The NPSA calls for urgent systemic reforms, warning that unless bold adjustments are made, democracy in Nigeria will continue to serve a privileged few rather than the broader population.