This Isn’t Real Democracy!’ – Agbakoba Decries Failure of Nigeria’s Political System”

Human rights lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s democratic system, asserting that the current model is fundamentally flawed and unfit for the country.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Agbakoba argued that the Western-style democracy imposed on Nigeria is not delivering results, and it’s time for the nation to adopt a system that reflects its unique realities.

“There’s something deeply wrong with our democracy. After decades of military rule and over 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, it’s clear this system is not working,” Agbakoba said.

He questioned the genuine commitment of Nigerian politicians to democratic principles, citing the frequent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as signs of opportunism and personal gain, rather than dedication to public service.

Reflecting on the broader implications, Agbakoba said:

“In my view, the Western democratic model—the one handed to us by Europeans and Americans—is failing us. We need to rethink our political structure and develop a model that works for Nigerians.”

On the priorities of ordinary citizens, Agbakoba pointed out that most Nigerians are more concerned about basic necessities than political affiliations or who occupies the presidency.

“If you ask the average Nigerian today, they’ll say: give us food, quality education, working roads, timely salaries, and decent housing. That’s what they care about—not the name of the president,” he said, noting that China has seen major development despite not practicing Western-style democracy.

Agbakoba concluded by stressing the urgent need for a new system tailored to Nigeria’s context—one that emphasizes performance and delivery rather than imported structures that have failed to meet citizens’ expectations.