Prominent lawyer and political activist Dele Farotimi has asserted that Nigeria has never truly experienced democracy. In a recent interview on News Central Television, Farotimi argued that what the nation has witnessed over the years is merely a superficial imitation—a performative shadow—of genuine democratic governance.
Farotimi criticized the country’s electoral processes, describing them as empty rituals that lack substance. He expressed concern over the fact that individuals who have been formally indicted for criminal offenses continue to occupy public offices, undermining the principles of justice and accountability.
Citing specific examples, Farotimi pointed to the emergence of figures like Godswill Akpabio and Ahmed Lawal in the Senate, despite their clear disqualification under the Electoral Act. He noted that the courts later endorsed these appointments, which he described as a systemic failure where the judiciary has become an instrument to rationalize predetermined outcomes rather than adjudicate based on law and equity.
According to Farotimi, the judicial system now operates by working backward from a desired conclusion, finding ways to ratify actions that should never have occurred. He lamented that the courts no longer serve as impartial arbiters of justice but instead legitimize what has already been done.