… Questions Quality of Life, Security and Trust in Government as Nation Marks June 12
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
As Nigerians marked the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, the opposition party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that the country’s democratic gains are being undermined by worsening insecurity, economic hardship and declining public confidence in government institutions.
In an open letter to Nigerians signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said Democracy Day should serve not only as a celebration of Nigeria’s return to civilian rule but also as a moment for honest reflection on the state of the nation.
The ADC argued that democracy should be measured not by the number of years since military rule ended, but by the extent to which it improves citizens’ lives through security, economic opportunities, accountability and freedom from poverty.
The party maintained that 27 years after Nigeria’s return to democratic governance and three years into the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, many Nigerians are experiencing worsening living conditions. It cited persistent insecurity, rising inflation, unemployment and growing public distrust in government institutions as evidence that democratic governance has yet to deliver its full promise.
According to the ADC, insecurity remains one of the country’s greatest challenges, with banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks continuing to affect communities across several parts of the country.
The party accused the government of failing in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property, noting that many communities have been displaced while schools and economic activities have been disrupted by security threats.
The opposition party also expressed concern over the country’s cost-of-living crisis, stating that soaring prices of food, transportation, housing, healthcare and education have placed severe pressure on households. It said workers and small business owners are struggling to cope with the declining purchasing power of incomes amid persistent inflationary pressures.
The ADC further lamented the situation facing Nigerian youths, many of whom, it said, are confronted with unemployment and limited economic opportunities, leading to increasing migration in search of better prospects abroad.
While criticizing the policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party insisted that Nigeria’s current challenges are neither inevitable nor insurmountable. It argued that insecurity, poverty and weak institutions stem from poor governance and ineffective policy choices rather than unavoidable global trends.
Presenting what it described as an alternative pathway, the ADC proposed a security strategy anchored on intelligence gathering, technology, community participation and stronger collaboration between federal, state and local authorities.
The party said security spending should be measured by improvements in citizens’ safety rather than the size of budgetary allocations.
On the economy, the ADC pledged to pursue policies aimed at reducing the cost of governance, lowering energy costs, supporting small businesses, protecting low-income earners and ensuring that economic growth translates into improved living standards for ordinary Nigerians.
The party also outlined plans to prioritize food security through expanded mechanized agriculture, improved irrigation infrastructure, stronger food reserves and better logistics systems to curb food inflation and boost domestic food production.
In addition, the ADC promised reforms to strengthen transparency, improve electoral administration, publish legislative voting records and reinforce accountability in public institutions.
The party concluded that governments should ultimately be judged by tangible outcomes rather than rhetoric, insisting that the true test of democracy lies in whether citizens are safer, more prosperous and confident about the future of their country.
The statement comes as Nigerians commemorate Democracy Day, observed annually on June 12 in honour of the country’s democratic struggle and the historic 1993 presidential election widely regarded as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s political history.
