Abuja, Nigeria – June 13, 2025 – As Nigeria commemorates 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance today, the global landscape for democracy appears increasingly fraught with challenges. Reports from international observers point to a democratic recession worldwide, while Nigeria itself grapples with calls for constitutional reform and protests against economic hardship and insecurity.
Globally, the state of democracy in 2025 is a cause for concern. The V-Dem Institute's latest report highlights a significant trend: for the first time in over two decades, there are now more autocracies than democracies in the world. This democratic decline is echoed by Freedom House, which notes a deterioration of political and civil rights in numerous countries.
Experts from institutions like Harvard University and the National Endowment for Democracy identify several key threats to democratic systems worldwide. These include deepening political polarization, soaring economic inequality, the pervasive spread of misinformation and disinformation, and the "elite capture" of democratic institutions by authoritarian-leaning figures and external powers. Recent events in the United States, including widespread protests and political tensions, are cited by some as a stark example of the pressures facing even long-established democracies.
In Nigeria, Democracy Day, celebrated annually on June 12th, is being marked by a special joint session of the National Assembly, where President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to deliver an address. In a departure from tradition, the customary military parade and nationwide broadcast have been cancelled.
However, the commemoration is not without its own tensions. Civil society groups have planned protests in Abuja and other parts of the country to draw attention to the severe economic challenges facing Nigerians, including high inflation and rising insecurity. These groups argue that the dividends of democracy are yet to be felt by a large segment of the population.
Adding to the national discourse, prominent political figures and organizations, including the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, have renewed calls for a fundamental restructuring of the country's political framework. They advocate for a return to the 1963 Republican Constitution, which they argue would grant greater autonomy to the regions and address some of the root causes of the nation's current challenges.
As the world prepares for the launch of the "Global State of Democracy 2025" report later this year, the contrasting experiences of established and emerging democracies will undoubtedly be a central theme. While Nigeria celebrates a quarter-century of democratic rule, the ongoing domestic debates and the challenging global environment underscore the constant vigilance and effort required to sustain and deepen democratic values.
Zedikus Zul Zorander 28 w
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