Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said Nigeria cannot be considered a full democracy despite 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, arguing that the country continues to operate more as a civilian regime than a democratic one.

Speaking on Channels Television during a special Democracy Day programme, Fayemi emphasized that holding periodic elections does not equate to practicing genuine democracy.
“We must not confuse the conduct of elections with the practice of democracy,” he said. “What we got in 1999 was the right to elect leaders, but that is only one element. What we have is civilian rule, not full democracy. At best, it is semi-democracy.”

Fayemi, a former pro-democracy activist, said meaningful democratic progress requires deeper institutional reforms and a political culture rooted in transparency, justice, and civic engagement. While acknowledging some level of advancement since 1999, he stressed that democracy must go beyond electoral rituals to reflect true democratic values.

Reflecting on his activism during the military dictatorship of the late General Sani Abacha, Fayemi recounted his experience with Radio Kudirat, the underground station used to challenge military propaganda.
“It wasn’t about being fearless,” he said. “We knew the risks, but we believed we were doing the right thing. I once carried Radio Kudirat’s transmitter on an Air France flight that ended up in Lagos during the height of the struggle. That alone could have cost me my life.”

He paid tribute to the many activists who lost their lives in the pro-democracy movement, stressing that their sacrifices were not acts of recklessness but commitment to freedom.
“Some of us survived by sheer luck. The people who died believed in the mission and paid the ultimate price,” he said, recalling how security operatives admitted during the Oputa Panel hearings that they were ordered to eliminate dissenters.

While commending President Bola Tinubu’s decision to honour certain pro-democracy figures, Fayemi lamented that many unsung heroes remained unrecognized.
“I was the face of Radio Kudirat, yes, but I didn’t do it alone,” he said. “Many people risked their lives. It is not enough to reward only the visible figures while ignoring those who worked behind the scenes.”

His remarks have sparked renewed public discourse on the quality of Nigeria’s democracy and the urgent need to build institutions and political culture that truly reflect democratic ideals.