JEGA WARNS DEMOCRACY REMAINS UNDERDEVELOPED AFTER 25 YEARS OF CIVIL RULE

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has stated that Nigeria’s democracy remains weak and underdeveloped despite 25 years of uninterrupted civil rule. Speaking at The Platform Nigeria’s June 12 edition in Lagos, Jega said that while Nigeria holds elections and observes democratic rituals, the core elements of democratic governance such as rule of law, institutional integrity, and accountability are largely absent.
He identified the constitutional immunity clause as a major enabler of executive excesses and called for its removal, describing it as a tool that shields public officers from prosecution while in office. Jega also highlighted the need for comprehensive judicial reforms, noting that the judiciary lacks the independence required to function effectively and fairly.
He pointed to a decline in press freedom and the weakening of INEC’s autonomy, calling for the electoral body to be unbundled to improve efficiency and independence. He advocated for institutional reforms, stronger civic engagement, and real-time accountability mechanisms to deepen democracy in Nigeria.