A dire warning has been issued by the Action Democratic Party (ADP), stating that Nigeria's democracy is facing an increasingly precarious situation. The party's National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Sani, emphasized that the suppression of opposition voices and protests could lead to a dangerous destabilization of the country's political landscape.
In a powerful address delivered in Abuja, Sani highlighted the importance of pluralism, inclusion, and civic trust as the pillars of a thriving democracy. He argued that the shrinking of civic space and the intolerance of dissent are not just isolated incidents but indicative of deeper, systemic issues.
"Protests and labor actions are not acts of lawlessness; they are cries for representation," Sani asserted. He warned that when opposition voices feel silenced and excluded, democracy itself is threatened.
But here's where it gets controversial: Sani pointed out that democratic systems can collapse not only through military coups but also through gradual political exclusion. This subtle yet powerful statement hints at a potential crisis brewing beneath the surface.
Moving beyond democratic concerns, Sani painted a grim picture of Nigeria's national security. He described a nation living in fear, citing estimates that over 15,000 lives have been lost to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence since 2023. Additionally, more than 3.5 million Nigerians remain internally displaced, a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles.
Despite significant defense spending exceeding N4 trillion annually, Sani argued that the persistence of insecurity is due to systemic failures rather than a lack of manpower. He identified weak intelligence coordination, political interference, corruption, and a lack of accountability as major obstacles, emphasizing that recycling individuals within a broken system will not bring about the desired security.
On the economic front, the ADP chairman criticized the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange regime, stating that these measures have caused pain without providing protection for millions of Nigerians. Inflation soared above 33% in 2024, with food inflation surpassing 40%, while the naira depreciated rapidly, eroding savings and purchasing power.
While official data suggests a slight moderation of inflationary pressures in late 2025, Sani argued that ordinary Nigerians continue to face high food prices, transport costs, rent, and school fees. He criticized the government's social protection measures as weak and inconsistent, arguing that reforms without adequate buffers amount to economic punishment.
Sani also raised concerns about public finance and budgetary performance, describing Nigeria's fiscal position as a crisis of credibility. By late 2025, less than 20% of the capital budget had been released, stalling critical infrastructure projects. Public debt has crossed N100 trillion, with debt servicing consuming more than 60% of federal revenue, a situation he described as unsustainable.
The power sector was not spared from criticism. Sani highlighted that Nigeria generates less than 5,000 megawatts of electricity for a population exceeding 220 million. He warned that industrialization is impossible without reliable power, estimating that businesses lose tens of billions of dollars annually due to electricity shortages.
In the oil and gas sector, Sani accused successive administrations of tolerating mismanagement, regulatory capture, and crude oil theft. He estimated that Nigeria loses between 100,000 and 400,000 barrels of crude daily to theft and leakages, resulting in billions of dollars in lost revenue. He argued that the failure to implement transparent metering across the value chain is at the heart of this problem.
On social indicators, Sani painted a bleak picture, stating that over 130 million Nigerians now live in multidimensional poverty, with up to 35 million facing acute food insecurity by 2026. He linked hunger and poverty to insecurity in farming communities and rising input costs, emphasizing that hunger in Nigeria is structural, not seasonal.
Sani also highlighted challenges in education and healthcare, noting that Nigeria has over 20 million out-of-school children and continues to lose thousands of doctors to emigration each year.
Presenting the ADP as an alternative, Sani outlined the party's commitment to accountable security reform, a production-based economy, disciplined public finance, food security, women's political inclusion, and youth-driven development.
So, what do you think? Is Nigeria's democracy under threat, and if so, what steps should be taken to address these pressing issues? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
