On Democracy Day, human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju criticized Nigeria’s political leadership, saying democracy in the country favors the elite while ordinary citizens continue to suffer. In a statement titled June 12: Assessing Democracy in Nigeria Under President Bola Tinubu, Adeyanju expressed concern over the nation’s worsening hardship, growing insecurity, and widespread hunger.
He described the removal of the fuel subsidy as a policy that was sold as reform but instead widened the gap between rich and poor. According to him, the policy has led to higher inflation and deeper poverty, while government officials exploit increased allocations without improving citizens’ lives.
Adeyanju said there’s little to show for the extra revenue states now receive. Public services remain poor, with no visible development in roads, schools, or healthcare. Instead, he noted, funds are wasted on luxury convoys and political moves by governors trying to stay close to power. He accused state leaders of diverting local government funds despite ongoing efforts by the Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to push for local government autonomy.
He described Nigeria as being stuck in a cycle where personal interest overshadows public good, and where the law is often ignored for political gain. Adeyanju also questioned who really benefits from democracy, saying most Nigerians are left to struggle for survival while a few at the top enjoy the system.
He concluded by calling for a radical shift in leadership values, stressing the need for service, accountability, and national development. He went further to demand capital punishment for those who rig elections, arguing that such severe action is necessary to break the cycle of corruption and abuse of power.
