Opinion: Nigeria Cannot Build Democracy on Political Contradictions

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Opinion: Nigeria Cannot Build Democracy on Political Contradictions

By Hon. Daniel Asekhame

Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its democratic journey. If we truly desire a nation built on justice, accountability, and progress, then we must first be willing to look beyond our personal interests and commit ourselves to doing what is right.

One of the greatest contradictions in our political system today is the disturbing spectacle of two individuals laying claim to the same executive position within a political party. Such situations have become increasingly common, creating confusion within party structures and leaving ordinary Nigerians wondering whether the political class is genuinely committed to democratic principles.

Leadership is about setting examples. When politicians engage in prolonged battles over positions that should be clearly defined by party constitutions and internal democratic processes, they send the wrong message to citizens. It reinforces the perception that politics is driven more by personal ambition than by service to the people.

Equally troubling is the role of the judiciary in many political disputes. While the courts remain the final hope of the common man, conflicting judgments in similar cases have sometimes deepened uncertainty instead of resolving it. When comparable disputes produce different legal outcomes, public confidence in both the judicial system and the democratic process is weakened.

Democracy cannot flourish where laws are interpreted inconsistently or where political interests appear to overshadow constitutional principles. A nation governed by uncertainty cannot inspire confidence among its citizens or attract the level of investment and stability needed for sustainable development.

The responsibility for correcting this trend rests with all stakeholders. Political parties must strengthen their internal democratic mechanisms and respect their own constitutions. Politicians must place the collective interest above personal gain. The judiciary must continue to uphold consistency, impartiality, and the rule of law, ensuring that justice is not only done but is also seen to be done.

Nigeria deserves a political system where leadership is earned through credibility, not conflict; where institutions are respected, not manipulated; and where the rule of law prevails over the rule of personal interest.

Our democracy will only mature when those entrusted with leadership choose integrity over ambition and national interest over individual advantage. The future of Nigeria depends on that choice.

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