NIGERIA @ 65: Former Enugu Assembly Leader, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Speaks on Failures, Prospects, and the Way Forward for Nigeria’s Democracy

As Nigeria marked her 65th Independence Anniversary, one of Enugu State’s most respected lawmakers, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu PhD, delivered a piercing and thought-provoking assessment of Nigeria’s democratic journey in an exclusive Independence Day interview on Signature TV’s Good Morning Show.

Ezeugwu, who served in the Enugu State House of Assembly for 12 years and was Leader of the House for 8 consecutive years, pulled no punches in exposing the paradox of Nigeria’s democracy. His words were as sobering as they were inspirational, resonating with millions of Nigerians who continue to grapple with questions of governance, leadership, and development.

According to the seasoned lawmaker, Nigeria’s democracy has established institutions but remains crippled by the weight of selfishness, money politics, and elite capture. “Our democracy has institutions but is crippled by selfishness, money politics, and elite capture. Until the people themselves take ownership of the process, democracy will continue to fall short of its promise,” he declared. He lamented that, despite the presence of legislatures at both national and state levels, genuine separation of powers and checks and balances remain elusive. Governors, he argued, continue to treat legislatures as extensions of their offices, ignoring constitutional provisions for financial independence of both legislatures and local governments.

Ezeugwu drew a sharp contrast between Nigeria’s founding fathers, who fought for liberation and egalitarianism, and today’s political class, which he said has been overtaken by selfish interests. He faulted not only politicians but also ordinary Nigerians who defend corrupt leaders simply because of ethnic or tribal affiliations, stressing that such tribalized loyalty has weakened accountability and destroyed the moral fabric of governance.

Perhaps one of the most striking parts of the interview was his dissection of Nigeria’s political parties. Ezeugwu accused them of being hijacked by cliques and godfathers, reducing internal democracy to a mockery. He explained how governors and political financiers pre-select candidates, sometimes imposing individuals “they wouldn’t employ as secretaries in their private companies” to become lawmakers. He strongly advocated for the introduction of independent candidacy, which, in his words, would return power to the people at the grassroots.

He further criticized the growing influence of so-called “Apex Leaders” and the zoning system, which he likened to the colonial partitioning of Africa. These practices, he said, strip politics of merit and reduce it to a game of allocation and entitlement, stifling innovation and true representation.

When confronted with the undeniable fact that many of Nigeria’s monumental projects such as Tincan Island Port, Ajaokuta Steel Company, and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were built under military regimes, Ezeugwu admitted the shortcomings of democracy in delivering tangible physical infrastructure. Yet, he insisted that democracy’s real strength lies in institution-building—like the creation of Assembly Service Commissions and legislative training frameworks which though invisible, are crucial for sustainable governance. However, he conceded that the cost of governance remains excessively high and must be urgently cut down for democracy to serve the people more effectively.

In perhaps the most sobering part of the discussion, the host raised the issue of “democratized poverty”—the widespread hunger and hardship under democratic governance, compared to the relative economic security of earlier decades. Ezeugwu acknowledged this painful reality but warned against romanticizing military rule. Instead, he called for deep reforms: restoring people-driven political parties, allowing independent candidates to run for office, ensuring financial autonomy for legislatures and local governments, reducing the cost of governance, and promoting leaders with competence and genuine concern for the masses.

He concluded by stressing that Nigeria’s democratic revival depends on citizens taking ownership of the process and rejecting money politics. To illustrate his own philosophy, he pointed to his personal investment in human capital through scholarship schemes that have empowered undergraduates — an example of leadership rooted in service rather than self-interest.

As the programme drew to a close, the host summarized Ezeugwu’s reflections: “Our democracy has institutions but is crippled by selfishness, money politics, and elite capture. Until the people themselves take ownership of the process, democracy will continue to fall short of its promise.”

At 65, Nigeria remains caught between promise and peril. Yet, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu’s voice offered both a reality check and a challenge: democracy is only as strong as the people who demand and defend it.