Nigeria's march towards democracy is hindered by inconsistent growth, says NBA chief

Paul Azuka, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association's Asaba Branch, has characterized Nigeria's democratic progression as sluggish and largely stagnant, with minimal advancement over time.

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Azuka made this assertion during an interview with Newsmen, where he reflected on Nigeria's 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and the commemoration of June 12 Democracy Day in Asaba on Friday.

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Despite acknowledging some areas of progress, Azuka noted that the overall pace of development in Nigeria remains slow and uneven, with certain sectors experiencing growth while others face setbacks.

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He observed that electoral reforms seem to be moving backwards, hindered by a growing culture of individualism that prioritizes personal interests over the collective national good.

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Azuka stated that many Nigerians and political actors tend to prioritize personal gains over the common good, and that politicians have failed to draw valuable lessons from the nation's history.

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The NBA chairman acknowledged that Nigerians are now more informed and willing to ask critical questions, but regretted that many citizens are still hesitant to take active roles in driving meaningful change.

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Azuka emphasized that Nigeria will continue to make limited progress until citizens take a more central role in shaping the nation's affairs.

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According to him, unless Nigerians become more engaged in governance and democratic processes, the country will remain mired in rhetoric.