By Milcah Tanimu
Lilian Orogbu, a Labour Party (LP) member of the House of Representatives representing Awka North/Awka South Constituency of Anambra State, has expressed a critical view on Nigeria’s 25 years of uninterrupted democracy. Orogbu, a professor of Business Administration, stated that there is little to celebrate given the current state of the nation.
Addressing the House, Orogbu emphasized that the democratic system has not significantly improved the lives of Nigerians. She highlighted the lack of tangible results in food security, education, and healthcare despite the two and a half decades of democratic governance.
“We are celebrating 25 years of unbroken democratic system. This celebration is coming to me with so many mixed feelings because Nigerians are all watching us,” Orogbu said. “Those people we are representing are listening to us. How much of this unbroken democracy that we are celebrating today has translated to unbroken food security? How has it transformed into unbroken security in the nation? How has it transformed into unbroken access to education and healthcare?”
Orogbu urged her fellow lawmakers to focus on delivering the true dividends of democracy, stressing that the essence of democratic governance should be to improve the lives of the people. “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. And it should change the lives of our people. Our people are hungry back home. To be honest with you, Mr. Speaker, there is nothing to celebrate. We should be celebrating food security and access to healthcare,” she concluded.
Her remarks underscore a broader sentiment of discontent and call for a more results-driven approach to governance in Nigeria.