A public affairs commentator, Charles Akpoki, has delivered a stinging indictment of Nigeria’s democratic system, declaring that citizens have lost ownership of governance due to widespread political ignorance, vote trading, and the high cost of politics.
Speaking as keynote speaker at the 3rd Advocate Lecture Series organised by Advocate Publication Ltd, Apoki argued that what operates in Nigeria today falls far short of true democracy.
“That is not democracy,” he said bluntly. “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But in Nigeria today, the people do not own the government.”
The lecture, themed “From Ballot to Patronage: Why Electoral Victory Fails to Deliver Good Governance in Nigeria,” brought together stakeholders from across the political and civic space to interrogate the persistent gap between electoral success and real governance outcomes.
Apoki traced the root of the problem to the commodification of votes, warning that many Nigerians willingly surrender their democratic power for short-term financial gains.
“Nigerians sell their rights for small amounts of money, and politicians turn personal interests into public concerns,” he said, lamenting that such practices have entrenched a system where accountability is weak and leadership is disconnected from the people.
He further criticised the lack of clear development blueprints among many political aspirants, stressing that ambition without vision continues to undermine national progress.
According to him, the prohibitive cost of contesting elections has also distorted the system, making it difficult for credible candidates to emerge while empowering entrenched political godfathers.
“Politics in Nigeria is too expensive. Those who win often focus on recovering what they spent, instead of serving the people. That is why governance suffers,” he added.
Apoki maintained that until Nigerians become more politically conscious and refuse to trade their votes, meaningful change will remain elusive.
Also speaking at the event, Delta Central Senator, Ede Dafinone, called for a shift from rhetoric to practical governance, insisting that electoral victories must translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Publication Ltd, Shedrack Onitsha, said the lecture series was designed to confront the recurring failure of elected governments to deliver on their promises.
The event, held at Wetland Hotel, attracted dignitaries and stakeholders, including representatives of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, with participants unanimously calling for reforms to restore integrity and accountability to Nigeria’s democratic process.
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