, Femi Falana, has strongly criticised Nigeria’s political system){kind=link}
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has strongly criticised Nigeria’s political system, saying partisan greed and lack of ideological direction are among the greatest obstacles to the nation’s progress 65 years after independence.
Speaking during a special Independence Day broadcast, Falana argued that political parties have failed Nigerians by turning governance into a “winner-takes-all” contest, leaving little room for inclusivity or shared responsibility.
According to him, the ruling party’s grip on power often sidelines other stakeholders, thereby deepening divisions and fuelling corruption, impunity, and political recklessness.
“The tragedy of our democracy is that once one party takes power, every other voice is silenced,” Falana said.
“Without proportional representation, we cannot build a stable nation. The winner-takes-all system is strangling Nigeria’s growth.”
The respected lawyer further noted that the absence of clear ideological foundations in most political parties has reduced governance to the pursuit of personal and sectional interests.
He maintained that Nigeria’s democracy cannot mature if parties continue to operate without vision or accountability.
Falana called for reforms that would compel political organisations to adopt guiding principles that prioritise national development over selfish ambition.
He insisted that only through inclusivity and power-sharing can the country escape the cycle of underdevelopment.
“Nigerians deserve more than political theatrics,” he added. “We need parties that stand for something beyond elections, parties that can actually shape policies to drive real progress.”
His comments come at a time when growing public frustration has been directed at political leaders over rising poverty, insecurity, and economic instability.
AFRIPOST reports that Falana’s intervention reflects widespread concerns that democracy in Nigeria has become more about competition for power than about service to the people.