by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Waziri Bulama, says Nigeria’s democracy remains fragile because political parties are yet to evolve into strong, ideology-driven institutions.
Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, Bulama noted that despite more than two decades of democratic practice, parties in the country — including the APC — remain weak and unstable.
“Our democracy, though about 25 to 26 years old, has not matured as it should. Political parties ought to function as firm institutions guided by ideology and principles, but we have not reached that level,” he said.
Bulama argued that parties are largely dominated by political elites who prioritise personal interests over collective goals, leaving structures vulnerable to crises and factions. He added that the absence of grassroots participation and ideological grounding has further undermined their development.
According to him, the growing trend of voter apathy is now the greatest challenge to Nigeria’s democratic system. He recalled that in the 2023 presidential election, only 26 million of the 94 million registered voters participated, a development he blamed on public disillusionment with the political class.
“Voter apathy is the biggest elephant in the room. It shows that citizens have a cold attitude toward the democratic process. Voting in a general election is like a referendum on democracy itself, and this lack of participation is a warning sign,” he stressed.
Bulama called on Nigeria’s political elite to confront the trust deficit between citizens and leaders. He said democracy can only thrive if parties become transparent, people-driven, and service-oriented, with inclusive systems that unite Nigerians across ethnic and political divides.