This article is the first of a three-part series examining the deep contradictions at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic experiment. In Part One, we explore the painful irony of Democracy Day in light of the violence in Benue and the broader failure of the Nigerian state to protect its citizens.
Democracy in Nigeria was ushered in after a prolonged period of military rule, with the 1999 return to civilian governance marking a hopeful transition; one of hope, promise, and the dawn of a new democratic era. After decades of military dictatorships, corruption, and political instability, the country was supposed to chart a new course toward transparency, governance, and the rule of law.
Yet, since then, the country has faced multiple challenges that have undermined the spirit of democracy. Rather than strengthening the nation’s democratic fabric, the political system has often been marked by corruption, electoral fraud, inadequate representation, and poor governance. These issues have led many to question whether Nigeria’s democracy is truly a government “by the people, for the people,” or simply democracy in name only.
In the 1960s, I was a young man freshly graduated from college in the United Kingdom. I remember the excitement I felt, how eager I was to return home to Nigeria, my beloved country.
It was a time of unity and promise; an emerging nation poised to compete with the rest of the world and, perhaps, even lead Africa. The future seemed limitless. I vividly recall telling my friends in the UK that if any continent had the potential to mirror America’s rise, it would be Africa, with Nigeria at its helm. Nigeria had it all; human capital, fertile land for agriculture, oil, gas, gold, diamonds, and more. It was hard not to get swept up in that excitement, especially as my friends wished me well and spoke of visiting Nigeria soon. Once again, I find myself lost in memories that linger with a bittersweet flavor, reminding me of the hopes and disappointments that come with being Nigerian. For many Nigerians, the celebrations of June 12, often referred to as Democracy Day, have become little more than a perfunctory ritual. The streets are adorned with flags, national symbols are paraded, and speeches are made by politicians who wax eloquent about the virtues of democracy. However, the reality for the average Nigerian is often far from the democratic ideal. The disparity between what democracy is supposed to represent and the lived experience of many citizens is staggering.
However, just days after the country marked the 2025 Democracy Day, the heart-wrenching tragedy of fresh bloodshed in Benue State has once again cast a dark shadow over Nigeria’s claims of progress and peace under its democratic system. The recent violence that erupted in Benue, one of Nigeria’s Middle-Belt states exposes the brutal reality of a nation still grappling with deep-seated issues of insecurity, ethnic strife, and inadequate governance. What was supposed to be a time of celebration turned into a grim reminder that for many Nigerians, democracy remains a distant dream, overshadowed by the harshness of violence and the failure of the state to protect its citizens. According to reports, the bloodshed began on June 16, 2025, just four days after Democracy Day, when armed assailants suspected to be Fulani herders attacked several communities in the Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State. The attackers believed to have been involved in previous clashes with local farmers, invaded villages in the dead of night, killing dozens and leaving many more injured.
The violence is not a new occurrence; it is part of a long-standing conflict between farmers and herders over land, water, and resources. In the case of Benue, the situation has worsened over the years due to a lack of effective government intervention, escalating ethnic tensions, and the proliferation of armed groups.
However, the scale and brutality of the latest attack stand out because it happened just days after the country celebrated its democracy. The contrast between the jubilant speeches about freedom and democracy and the horror unfolding in Benue is jarring. While politicians paraded their achievements in Abuja, innocent civilians in rural Nigeria were being slaughtered reminding the public that the promises of security and protection remain far from realized.
Benue has long been caught in the crossfire of Nigeria’s broader security crisis. Known as the “Food Basket of the Nation” for its vast agricultural output, the state has been home to decades of violent clashes between local farmers, who predominantly belong to ethnic groups like the Tiv and Idoma, and nomadic herders, mainly from the Fulani ethnic group. The roots of this conflict are complex, with factors such as competition for fertile land, climate change, the proliferation of small arms, and political instability playing significant roles.
For the people of Benue, this bloodshed has become a way of life, with the state’s farmers fearing for their lives as they attempt to cultivate the land that feeds much of Nigeria. Over the past decade, the state has seen numerous attacks, with villages destroyed, homes burned, and hundreds of lives lost. Despite the repeated calls for action, the government’s response has been inadequate, with security forces often slow to intervene or unable to provide lasting solutions. The 2025 attack serves as a painful reminder that these unresolved issues continue to plague the state, and for many, the celebration of Democracy Day felt empty and hollow. In a democratic society, the government’s first responsibility is to protect its citizens, yet the people of Benue are left to fend for themselves as they live under the constant threat of violence.
The events in Benue starkly expose the irony of Nigeria’s Democracy Day. While the government celebrates its success in holding elections and maintaining a democratic framework, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Democracy Day is meant to honor the principles of justice, peace, and freedom, but for those living in conflict-ridden states like Benue, it is hard to see the democracy they are supposed to celebrate.
The government’s failure to curb the violence in Benue and across other parts of the country reflects a broader pattern of neglect in addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria. Despite claims of military operations and security reforms, the situation has only worsened in the last few years, leaving the Nigerian populace increasingly distrustful of the authorities.
Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations must evolve from mere symbolic acts to meaningful reflections on the nation’s true democratic journey. For many, democracy is not just about voting every four years or passing laws in the National Assembly; it is about security, justice, and the right to live without fear. Until the Nigerian government can guarantee these basic rights to its citizens, especially in conflict-prone regions, the celebration of democracy will remain nothing more than a hollow exercise in irony.