Democracy is supposed to be a system where power resides with the people
By Frank Ulom
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Published on June 14, 2026
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4 min read
Nigeria’s democracy cannot achieve its full potential without honesty and mutual trust between government and citizens, the Anglican Archbishop of Calabar, Rt. Rev. Prof. Nneoyi Onen Egbe has said.
Egbe made the remarks during the Inter-Denominational Christian Thanksgiving Service organised by the Cross River State Government to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day celebration.
Addressing government officials, religious leaders and residents at the service, the cleric expressed concern over what he described as a growing deficit of truth and trust in the country’s democratic system.
According to him, both leaders and citizens share responsibility for the erosion of public confidence in governance.
“Nigerians must stop deceiving themselves. Government is not being honest with the people, citizens are not being honest with the government, and truth has become a casualty,” Egbe said.
He stressed that democracy derives its legitimacy from the people and should reflect their aspirations and collective will.
“Democracy is supposed to be a system where power resides with the people, but what we have in Nigeria today falls short of that principle,” he stated.
The Archbishop called for a sincere national reflection on the country’s democratic journey, noting that meaningful progress could only be achieved through an honest assessment of existing challenges.
“If we truly want to move forward as a nation, we must be courageous enough to tell ourselves the truth about the state of our democracy,” he said.
Egbe further argued that Nigeria’s democratic culture appears to differ from internationally accepted standards, where governance is expected to be guided by the wishes of the electorate.
“Our understanding and practice of democracy appear different from globally accepted standards, where the will of the people is expected to prevail,” he added.
The cleric also raised concerns about the increasing number of Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad, saying the trend should provoke serious reflection about the country’s future.
“We must ask ourselves what kind of legacy we are leaving for our children when many parents see their future only outside the country,” he said.
Representing Governor Bassey Otu at the event, Deputy Governor Peter Odey highlighted the administration’s achievements in security and infrastructure development across the state.
Odey said government efforts had restored peace in several communities previously affected by criminal activities, enabling residents to move more freely and pursue their daily activities without fear.
“Residents now enjoy greater freedom of movement compared to previous years when insecurity posed serious challenges in parts of the state,” he said.
The deputy governor disclosed that the state’s security strategy, which combines kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, had recorded notable successes.
“There came a time when about 171 of them surrendered. Out of that number, only three were from Cross River State, while the others came from outside the state,” Odey stated.
He commended security agencies for their efforts and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and accelerating development across the state.
Also speaking, Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, described Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance as a remarkable milestone in the nation’s history.
“Democracy may not be perfect, but it is better than military rule. We have made progress, and we must continue to strengthen our democratic institutions and freedoms,” Ekpang said.
He urged Nigerians to support democratic governance through peaceful coexistence, constructive criticism and prayers for leaders at all levels.
Ekpang also praised the Otu administration for sustaining peace and development in Cross River, while encouraging residents to remain vigilant and work collectively for the state’s continued growth.
The Thanksgiving service attracted government officials, political leaders, civil servants, religious figures and residents who gathered to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey and the progress recorded since the return to civilian rule.
