June 12: Democracy worth defending — Akume

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has declared that Nigeria’s democracy is worth defending despite the challenges confronting the nation’s electoral and governance systems.

Speaking on Thursday at a public lecture held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, to commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, Senator Akume urged Nigerians to play active roles in strengthening democratic institutions and safeguarding the country’s hard-earned civil rule.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since the return to civilian governance in 1999, the SGF described the past 27 years as a period marked by resilience, determination and significant progress.

According to him, the country has successfully conducted eight consecutive general elections and witnessed peaceful transfers of power across political parties and regions, including a historic transition from a ruling party to the opposition.

While acknowledging the gains of democratic governance, Akume said Nigeria must confront lingering challenges threatening the credibility of its democratic process.

He identified electoral integrity as a major concern, stressing that allegations of corruption within the electoral system continue to undermine public confidence. “Democracy is not merely the act of voting; it is the guarantee that every vote counts equally,” he stated.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Yomi Odunuga, said in a statement that the SGF highlighted achievements recorded under democratic rule, including economic expansion, improved financial inclusion and investments in critical infrastructure such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

He also pointed to reforms in the power sector and expanded access to education and healthcare through initiatives such as the Universal Basic Education programme, the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Akume, however, cautioned against allowing ethnic, religious and regional divisions to weaken the country’s democratic foundations. He called for a sincere assessment of Nigeria’s democratic experience, urging citizens and institutions to examine their performance in meeting the aspirations of the people.

Describing the theme of the lecture, “27 Years of Democratic Governance: Achievements, Challenges and the Road Ahead”, as an opportunity for national reflection, the SGF challenged Nigerians to envision the kind of democracy they desire over the next 27 years.

“Nigeria is worth all our sacrifices, and our democracy is worth defending,” Akume said.

“The present and upcoming generations are standing on the shoulders of those who struggled for civil rule, and they have both the responsibility and the opportunity to build the nation our founding fathers envisioned and which our children deserve to inherit,” he added.