Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has criticized the state of democracy in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu, lamenting that hardship, insecurity, and hunger still plague citizens. In his Democracy Day statement titled “June 12: Assessing Democracy in Nigeria Under President Bola Tinubu”, Adeyanju argued that democracy in Nigeria serves the powerful, not the people.
He condemned the removal of fuel subsidy, saying it worsened inequality, inflation, and poverty rather than improving the economy. Despite increased federal allocations to states, he noted, there is no visible development in infrastructure, education, or healthcare. Instead, he pointed to lavish government spending and political maneuvering.
He also criticized the lack of progress in achieving local government autonomy, accusing governors of continuing to divert local government funds despite increased state revenues.
Adeyanju concluded that Nigeria’s democracy has become a tool for elite control, urging a redefinition of leadership to prioritize service, transparency, and national development, warning that without change, democracy would remain a celebration for a few while the majority suffer in silence.