Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has warned that democracy in many societies has been hijacked by powerful interests, leaving citizens sidelined and disillusioned with governance.
Speaking on Arise Television’s news programme on Thursday, Ezekwesili lamented that the democratic process is no longer functioning effectively because it has been steadily corrupted over time.
“Democracy is being captured by the powerful in most societies where it exists. The marginalization of citizens happened gradually, as people realized that the social contract with the state was failing them,” she said.
She noted that the disengagement of citizens from active participation has paved the way for state capture, with key institutions meant to safeguard democracy now compromised.
Ezekwesili singled out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary as examples of bodies that have lost public trust.
“The INEC as an electoral umpire is compromised. They don’t have the trust of society. The judiciary has also engulfed itself in political shenanigans. And so, when you have this kind of complex situation, you see the massive mess we have these days,” she stated.
The former minister stressed that global stakeholders are now searching for ways to restore citizens to the center of governance, adding that genuine freedom and active participation are vital for innovation and societal progress.
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