By Prosper Mene
ย Dr. Obiageli โObyโ Ezekwesili has declared that democracy is not the exclusive property of politicians, but the sacred inheritance of the citizens who breathe life into it.
Speaking at recent engagements, including sessions convened by civil society networks on electoral integrity, the former World Bank Vice President and co-founder of #FixPolitics stressed that the fate of Nigeriaโs democracy rests not in the hands of the political class, but in the collective will and vigilance of ordinary Nigerians.
โDemocracy does not belong to politicians. Democracy belongs to the citizens,โ Ezekwesili asserted. She warned that the continuous erosion of democratic norms, weak institutions, and declining public trust in electoral bodies like INEC are pushing the nation dangerously close to the brink of state failure.
Ezekwesiliโs message comes at a critical time. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, concerns are mounting over electoral transparency, the integrity of the electoral process, and the persistent capture of democratic spaces by a self-serving elite. She urged citizens to move beyond passive voting and embrace active, sustained participation in shaping governance.
Her words echo a deeper truth: when citizens abdicate their responsibility, politicians quickly treat public office as personal property. Nigeriaโs history is littered with examples where the political class has prioritised personal and partisan interests over national development โ from unfulfilled electoral promises to the weakening of accountability mechanisms.
โStop playing with fire,โ she cautioned in related interviews, emphasising that unclear electoral rules, lack of transparency, and repeated breaches of public trust are recipes for deeper national instability.
Ezekwesiliโs philosophy aligns with her long-standing advocacy through initiatives like #FixPolitics and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), which aim to build a new generation of ethical, competent leaders while empowering citizens to demand better.
She has repeatedly argued that true democratic renewal requires:
Electoral reforms that leave no room for ambiguity or manipulation.
Stronger institutions insulated from political interference.
Active citizen engagement beyond election cycles โ through oversight, advocacy, and holding leaders accountable.
Restoration of public trust in INEC and other democratic pillars.
Her message is particularly poignant for Nigeriaโs youth and the Gen Z demographic, many of whom felt disillusioned after the controversies of the 2023 elections. Rather than retreat into apathy, Ezekwesili calls on them to channel their energy into organised, strategic action.
As Nigeria grapples with economic hardship, insecurity, and governance deficits, Ezekwesiliโs words serve as both a warning and a rallying cry. Democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands vigilance, participation, and courage from those it is meant to serve.
The political class must be reminded that they are stewards, not owners, of the Nigerian project. Power ultimately flows from the people โ and the people can reclaim it.
In the words of Dr. Ezekwesili: Nigeria does not belong to the political class. Nigeria belongs to Nigerian citizens.
The question now is whether citizens will rise to claim their democracy before it slips further away.
