As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, the national conversation is once again turning toward the meaning and progress of democracy in the country. To help unpack this, WADR spoke with Barrister Mohammed Bashman, a respected legal researcher and public affairs commentator.

For Bashman, democracy in Nigeria should not be reduced to just elections and transitions of power. “It must be about more than voting every four years,” he says. Instead, he believes democracy must reflect real human representation, economic empowerment, national security, and overall development.

Since 1999, Nigeria has experienced six civilian transitions, but Bashman argues that the true test of democracy lies in how it impacts the lives of ordinary citizens. Are people safer? Are they economically better off? Do they feel heard by those in power?

As the nation reflects on its democratic milestones, voices like Bashman’s are pushing for a deeper, more meaningful definition of democracy — one that centers on people, not just politics