Some political analysts have advocated reforms to the security architecture to address insecurity and fast-track the consolidation of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
They said the reforms were imperative to tackle insecurity and other challenges undermining democratic governance and national development.
A cross-section of the experts stated this in separate interviews in Bauchi and Dutse, while commenting on the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
Bello Halliru, the head of the Mass Communication Department at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, said insecurity was posing a serious challenge to Nigeria’s democracy despite the gains recorded in the last 27 years.
He said the successful transition cycles had strengthened political participation, civil liberties and constitutional governance, adding that they formed part of the gains recorded under democracy.
Mr Halliru also identified political godfatherism and vote-buying as major threats to democratic growth, noting that insecurity has continued to undermine Nigeria’s democratic dispensation since 1999.
The lecturer said political godfatherism often compelled elected officials to serve the interests of their benefactors rather than the electorate.
Auwal Ibrahim, a legal practitioner in Bauchi, said Nigeria’s ability to sustain civilian rule for more than two decades represented a significant departure from the era of military interventions.
Mr Ibrahim described regular elections, the peaceful transfer of power, and increased citizen participation in governance as notable successes recorded under the democratic dispensation.
Hassan Babatunde, a political scientist in the Department of Political Science at Federal University Dutse, said Nigeria’s democracy under the Fourth Republic recorded both gains and challenges.
Mr Babatunde maintained that Nigeria made notable progress in electoral reforms through the conduct of successive elections since 1999. He said democratic governance also contributed to improvements in human rights compared to the military era.
Mr Babatunde lamented that criminal elements had taken advantage of the expanded democratic space to threaten public safety. He noted that economic hardship had continued to affect citizens, especially in the wake of recent reforms that have increased the cost of living.
He called for national reflection on Nigeria’s democratic journey and urged governments at all levels to strengthen security and improve citizens’ welfare to promote inclusive economic growth.
Baffa Alhasan said Nigeria had recorded significant democratic gains, particularly in electoral continuity, civil liberties and institutional development.
Mr Alhasan, a legal luminary, said civil liberties such as freedom of expression and association had expanded under democratic rule, with social media and civil society playing key roles in accountability.
He underscored the progress in electoral jurisprudence through pre- and post-election litigation, stressing that it has strengthened constitutional interpretation and electoral law.
Mr Alhasan, however, expressed concern over the independence of some democratic institutions, including anti-graft agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission. He said this concern highlighted the need for further reforms.
According to Mr Alhassan, strengthening democracy requires continuous reforms and commitment from both leaders and citizens.
(NAN)
