As Nigeria marks Democracy Day today, former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, stated on Thursday that although the country attained civilian rule in 1999, it is yet to achieve genuine democracy.
He emphasised that while Nigerians regained the right to elect their leaders, the nation must now take concrete steps to realise full democratic governance.
Fayemi made these remarks during a special Channels Television event titled ‘Nigeria’s Democratic Journey: An Inter-Generational Conversation On Building A Better Nation’ held in commemoration of June 12.
“What we must not do is confuse elections with democracy. In 1999, we regained the right to vote and install our leaders, but in my view, we have not yet secured true democracy,” he explained.
“We achieved civilian governance, and we are on that path – what we have now is a semi-democracy. We must now strive for complete democracy. The groundwork laid by former presidents and continued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be expanded upon by all of us.”
Fayemi, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, recalled his role in the pro-democracy movement, highlighting how he and fellow activists operated Radio Kudirat during the military regime of General Sani Abacha to spread messages of resistance and hope.
Speaking on the programme, Fayemi acknowledged the danger they faced. He and his colleagues risked their lives broadcasting the radio station, often unaware of the full extent of the threat posed by the military dictatorship.
“It wasn’t that we were fearless or recklessly brave – we simply didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the risks we were taking. I once transported Radio Kudirat’s transmitters on an Air France flight meant for Cotonou that diverted to Lagos during the crisis,” he recounted.
“I could have been arrested on that flight and become a casualty of the struggle, like many others. During the Oputa Panel hearings, some individuals confessed to being tasked with eliminating leaders of the movement.”
Fayemi stressed that their survival was not due to invincibility but rather fortune. He paid tribute to those who lost their lives, noting that their sacrifices were made in pursuit of their convictions, not out of recklessness.
He commended President Tinubu for honouring several key figures in the democracy movement with national awards but urged the government to also recognise others, including members of Radio Kudirat.