By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
As Nigeria prepares to mark Democracy Day on May 29, 2026, legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has lamented what he described as the steady decline of democratic values in the country, saying politics has become driven more by personal interests than service and accountability.
Ahiakwo, in an interview in Calabar on Wednesday, observed that although Nigeria’s democracy has recorded measurable progress since the return to civil rule in 1999, the process through which political leaders emerge has become increasingly troubling.
According to him, leadership recruitment in the country is now largely shaped by godfatherism, political imposition and loyalty to individuals rather than democratic ideals and institutional integrity.
He noted that electoral reforms, which ought to strengthen democratic institutions and public trust, are often perceived as tools designed to favour the ruling party and consolidate political control.
“This trend has gradually eroded public confidence in the democratic process,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with the United States presidential system, which Nigeria adopted, Ahiakwo argued that the American democracy thrives because of strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, accountability and a clear separation of powers.
He, however, regretted that in Nigeria, political interference, abuse of power and excessive loyalty to powerful individuals frequently undermine these democratic principles.
The analyst further stated that many political actors in the country demonstrate little understanding of true federalism, despite attempts to replicate aspects of the American presidential structure.
He warned that unless governance becomes more service-oriented and public office stripped of excessive material incentives, Nigeria may continue to witness democratic decline.
Ahiakwo cautioned that if the current trend persists, future leaders could resort to more draconian measures to retain power at the expense of democratic freedoms.
