Human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has described Nigeria’s electoral process as a “hollow ritual” that merely masquerades as democracy, arguing that citizens do not truly determine leadership outcomes.
Farotimi made the remarks while delivering a lecture at the Christian Consultative Assembly organised by the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) with the theme, “2027 Election: What Are the Options?”
According to him, Nigerians must confront the realities of the political system before discussing electoral choices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that the absence of rule of law and equality before the law has weakened the concept of citizenship and undermined the credibility of elections in the country.
Farotimi said discussions about electoral options often create the impression that citizens have real power to determine outcomes, but warned that low voter turnout encourages manipulation.
Citing statistics from the 2023 general elections, he noted that although about 90 million Nigerians were registered to vote, fewer than 20 million actually participated.
“When you speak about elections, the dictionary will tell you that it is the formal organised choice by vote for a position or office,” he said.
“But if we must be sincere with ourselves, the least we can do is to admit that we do not have elections in Nigeria.
“Citizens vote and their votes count. But what we have is a system where people snatch power, grab it, run with it and manage it. That is not democracy.”
Farotimi added that the current political structure is shaped by entrenched systems that promote inequality and limit social mobility.
Despite his criticism, the activist maintained that peaceful change remains possible through the ballot, provided citizens organise around shared ideas and national issues rather than personalities, ethnicity or religion.
He urged Nigerians to focus on universal concerns such as education, security and justice, which affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines.
“The only way to change Nigeria peacefully is still through the electoral process, even though you are entering a game that starts against you,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Convener of the CSMN, Bosun Emmanuel, called on Christians to defend Nigeria’s secular constitution.
He warned against attempts to introduce Christian canon law into the country’s legal system, saying such a move could encourage demands for similar religious laws elsewhere.
“The constitution should not have any religion. The state is secular, and it must remain so. Any effort to insert canon law opens the door to Sharia or similar laws in other states,” Emmanuel said.
He also urged Christian groups to overcome internal divisions, noting that doctrinal differences and rivalry within churches had weakened their collective influence.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Middle Belt Forum, Luka Binniyat, highlighted what he described as the historical marginalisation of Middle Belt Christians.
Binniyat stressed the need for political vigilance and urged voters to support leaders who would protect religious freedom and human rights.
He warned against leaders with Islamist tendencies, saying Nigerians must build coalitions that reflect shared democratic values.
“We cannot wait passively for 2027. The afflictions of Nigerians are common and urgent. We must act now to build coalitions that reflect our values and protect our interests,” he said.
Friday Olokor
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