Naija Times Publisher, Ehi Braimah, has issued a scathing critique of the country’s political landscape, describing the current state of democracy as deeply compromised.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Braimah warned that the democratic process in Nigeria has been effectively “hijacked by a criminal gang,” highlighting concerns over corruption, defections, and the erosion of democratic values.
“This democracy has been hijacked by a criminal gang, so what are we talking about?” He criticised the wave of defections to the ruling APC as a threat to democratic values. “As far as I’m concerned, this is not good for our democracy… I have to say, it’s a threat to our democracy.”
Braimah painted a bleak picture of a nation in decline, driven by weak leadership, failed institutions, and worsening conditions in key sectors like education, healthcare, and energy.
Voicing deep dissatisfaction with the direction of the country under the current administration, he said,
“Two years down the line, you expected some improvement in the quality of life of Nigerians… I don’t see improvement.” He pointed to failed infrastructure projects, erratic electricity supply, and what he described as a lack of accountability in governance. “Without stable and regular electricity supply, the manufacturing sector cannot thrive… Everybody’s now going off the grid. How many of us can afford to go off the grid?”
According to Braimah, education is another area where the government has failed.
“I’m unhappy to report that there are still many schools today in urban centres where children, students, in JS1 to SS3 sit on the floor.” He lamented the diversion of education funds and the mushrooming of substandard universities, noting: “You have graduates these days who cannot speak and write… The quality of learning in these universities is very doubtful.”
Healthcare is no exception in the long list of national crises. Braimah highlighted the increasing inaccessibility of basic medicine and the rising number of unexplained deaths.
“Cancer cases are increasing, kidney problems are growing because the medicine they are supposed to buy are a little too expensive… So, a lot of people don’t go to the hospital. They say they can’t afford it.”
Braimah summarised the nation’s plight, “We don’t have a country yet, we’re just managing a space, and we must not be afraid to say it.”
Despite the grim assessment, Braimah maintained a glimmer of hope, urging citizens not to give up,
“But I always make the point, too, that we should never give up on Nigeria.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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