Public Lecture: Our Democracy Must Be Sustained – Prof. Sola Fayose
By Olusegun HOSEA, 19th December, 2025.
A Professor of Speech Thesis at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Prof. Sola Fayose, has called on Nigerians to actively protect and sustain the country’s democracy through responsible participation in the electoral process.
Prof. Fayose made this call while delivering a public lecture iorganised by the Association of Independent Newspaper publisher of Nigeria ,in Akure, n which he emphasized that democracy can only thrive when citizens are fully involved and leaders remain accountable to the people.
According to him, citizens must participate meaningfully in elections by choosing leaders they can question and hold responsible for their actions. He stressed that political representation must remain accountable to the electorate at all times.
The professor also expressed concern over recent political developments in the country, particularly the increasing trend of politicians defecting from opposition parties to the ruling party. He warned that such actions could push Nigeria toward a one-party system.
He noted that a one-party system would not be in the best interest of the nation or its citizens, as it could weaken accountability and limit citizens’ ability to question those in power. “When that happens, democracy itself is threatened,” he warned.
Prof. Fayose further urged Nigerians to guard the democratic process jealously, stressing that democracy thrives on shared policies and inclusive political participation rather than the dominance of a single political interest.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the academic warned of possible challenges, including electoral manipulation and voter apathy. He cautioned that a lack of vigilance could lead to a situation where election results are imposed without transparency or public scrutiny.
He added that poor participation could also result in the emergence of incompetent candidates, which would further weaken democratic governance in the country.
Prof. Fayose concluded by urging Nigerians to remain alert and committed to democratic values to ensure that future elections do not erode the gains already made in the nation’s democratic journey.
