DEMOCRACY DAY 2026: Akume Raises Alarm Over Electoral Corruption, Says Public Trust In Democracy Is At Risk
By Oludare Joshua
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has expressed concern that persistent allegations of corruption within Nigeria’s electoral system are eroding public confidence in the nation’s democratic process and threatening the integrity of its elections.
Akume made this assertion on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
Speaking on the theme, “27 Years of Democratic Governance: Achievements, Challenges and the Road Ahead,” the SGF acknowledged the significant democratic milestones Nigeria has recorded since its return to civilian rule in 1999. However, he cautioned that unresolved concerns surrounding electoral credibility remain a major obstacle to democratic consolidation.
According to him, recurring allegations of electoral malpractice, corruption, vote-buying, result manipulation, and other irregularities continue to undermine citizens’ trust in elections and democratic institutions.
“Electoral integrity remains a work in progress. While our electoral management body and the judiciary have demonstrated increasing independence, persistent allegations of corruption within the electoral system and processes remain critical challenges to its integrity,” Akume stated.
He emphasized that democracy is not merely about casting votes but ensuring that every vote counts equally and genuinely reflects the will of the people.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey over the past 27 years, Akume described the experience as one characterized by resilience, growth, and institutional development. He noted that the country has successfully conducted eight consecutive general elections and witnessed peaceful transitions of power, including transfers between competing political parties and the historic handover from a ruling party to an opposition party.
Despite these achievements, the SGF stressed the need for renewed efforts to strengthen electoral transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the democratic system.
He further warned against allowing ethnic, religious, and regional divisions to weaken national unity and democratic stability, urging Nigerians to prioritize collective national interests above sectional considerations.
Highlighting some of the gains recorded under democratic governance, Akume pointed to improvements in economic growth, financial inclusion, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and power sector reforms. He specifically referenced landmark projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, alongside social intervention programmes including the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Universal Basic Education Programme, and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Describing Democracy Day as a valuable opportunity for reflection and reassessment, Akume called on Nigerians to critically evaluate the progress made so far and envision the kind of democracy they desire for future generations.
He reiterated that strengthening electoral integrity must remain a national priority, stressing that sustained reforms are essential to enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
As Nigeria commemorates 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, the SGF maintained that preserving the credibility of elections remains fundamental to safeguarding the nation’s democratic future.
