A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Haruna Kabiru Wakili, has called for urgent reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and address the worsening economic conditions affecting citizens across the country.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Kano, Wakili, a young politician from the North-Western state, reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
He acknowledged the country’s progress, including uninterrupted democratic transitions and growth in national revenue, but expressed concern over persistent structural challenges.
“Despite all the successes, our democracy is still facing numerous challenges. There’s a lack of political awareness among the people, frequent electoral malpractices, and the use of political thugs to disrupt elections,” Wakili said.
To address these issues, he proposed the introduction of a computerised voting system to ensure more credible, transparent, and fair elections in the country.
Turning to the economy, Wakili voiced concerns about the impact of recent government policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira.
According to him, while some of these reforms may have been necessary, they have deepened poverty and reduced the standard of living for many Nigerians.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a political expert who knows how to manoeuvre,” but faulted his administration for what he described as attempts to weaken opposition parties.
“The role of the opposition is crucial in a democracy. A government without a vibrant opposition is one that can easily go unchecked,” Wakili stressed.
The PDP stalwart also criticised the immediate past administration led by former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of corrupt practices and mismanaging the country’s resources.
He said the Buhari government left the economy in dire straits, forcing the current administration into difficult policy decisions.
While acknowledging that the removal of subsidies was necessary to avert an economic collapse, Wakili maintained that the government must urgently implement policies that cushion the effects on ordinary Nigerians.
“Our democracy must work for the people. And that includes building institutions that function properly and ensuring economic policies that reduce suffering, not increase it,” he said.
Wakili called on all political actors, regardless of party affiliation, to work together to strengthen democratic governance and find lasting solutions to the country’s economic challenges.
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