The hallmark of democracy lies in the freedom it grants citizens; freedom of speech, association, and dissent. Yet, in Nigeria, these liberties appear increasingly under threat as government intolerance toward protests and criticism deepens.
From pre-independence agitations to movements like NADECO in 1994, the Occupy Nigeria protests of 2012, and the historic #EndSARS demonstrations in 2020, Nigerians have consistently spoken against bad governance and injustice. However, what once defined civic courage now seems met with repression.
Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, protests; notably the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstrations of August 2024 have been confronted with heavy security clampdowns. The rallies, which highlighted economic hardship and hunger following the removal of fuel subsidy and naira flotation, were treated like acts of rebellion rather than expressions of democratic right.
Experts warn that the government’s growing intolerance toward dissent could erode Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
“In any democracy, the majority may have their way, but the minority must have their say,” said Dr. Sanmi Johnson Ibidapo, psychologist and coordinator at Caleb University’s Counseling and Development Clinic. “Silencing opposition is anti-democratic. It’s like slapping a child and stopping him from crying.”
Ibidapo explained that when citizens are persistently denied a voice, frustration can lead to aggression, a phenomenon he said may fuel instability. “Suppressing dissent only empowers enemies of the state to exploit public anger,” he warned.
Similarly, Dr. Chukwudinma Okoji, a communication expert, argued that the right to free expression is the foundation of democracy. “If people can’t speak freely, democracy loses its essence,” he said. He urged Nigerians to use their votes wisely in future elections to support candidates who respect democratic values.
However, not everyone shares the pessimism. Moses Lawal, a Lagos-based public affairs analyst, believes Nigeria’s democracy has matured beyond outright suppression. “We have an independent judiciary and a vibrant media; the 4th Estate that hold government accountable,” he said. “Perceptions of suppression should be tested in court, not on the streets.”
Meanwhile, former labour leader and senator, Adams Oshiomhole, reignited debate on governance ethics during a Senate session, urging politicians to stop arming unemployed youths during elections.
“After every election, violent crimes rise because the weapons given to thugs are never recovered,” he lamented. “We must resolve not to use the unemployed as tools of electoral violence.”
Also weighing in, legal luminary Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) warned that governance anchored solely on state coercion is unsustainable.
“The only thing holding Nigeria together is the force of arms,” Agbakoba said. “That’s not how to build a nation.”
As Nigeria marks over two decades of civilian rule, many fear that democratic freedoms; hard-won through years of struggle are slowly being replaced by a culture of fear and silence.