A Peep Into Chima Amadi's Bold Call For Systematic Overhaul Of Nigeria's Democracy

By Chidi Elemuo

Nigeria's democracy seems to be in crisis—not from the absence of elections, but from a system carefully structured to fail. It has been argued that the country continues to recycle corruption, electoral fraud, and governance failures, leaving citizens disillusioned and democracy in name only.

Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi, a scholar and public intellectual, in a recent interview, offers a brutally honest assessment of Nigeria’s political landscape, arguing that the problems plaguing the nation are not accidental but deliberately engineered by some unpatriotic ruling elite.  

The Ngor Okpala born philanthropist and political strategist has been at the forefront of the battle for democratic integrity and good governance.

Nowhere is this systemic failure more evident than in some sub-nationals, including Imo State, where governance has been reduced to flamboyance, power tussle, and ego trips rather than service to the people. 

A research fellow at the University of Warwick, Dr. Amadi’s name has consistently resurfaced in conversations about restoring confidence in leadership. His role in not only interrogating but indeed challenging the status quo in Imo State exemplifies his broader stance on Nigeria’s democratic challenges.

Dr. Amadi raises an uncomfortable truth: democracy in Nigeria is largely performative. While institutions, over time, arguably exist in theory, their ability to function transparently is systematically compromised. Even supposedly distinguished professionals—such as university professors serving as Collation Officers, despite reformative efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—are powerless in an environment where intimidation, desperation, and corruption reign.

According to Dr. Amadi, the quality of those appointed to oversee elections has deteriorated over time. Regrettably, many now lobby to become Returning Officers, not out of a commitment to democracy, but for personal gain. The process is no longer about merit but about serving the interests of the political class. This subversion of electoral integrity ensures that election outcomes remain predetermined, rendering democratic participation futile.

This pattern, where a combination of electoral manipulations, judicial interventions, and oftentimes, state-backed intimidation tactics have repeatedly left the people questioning whether their votes truly matter, is deeply entrenched. The governance quagmire at the sub-nationals is a reflection of Nigeria's larger democratic challenge, where the political elite dictate outcomes with little regard for the will of the people.

One of the most damning observations by Dr. Amadi is how poverty has been weaponized as a tool of political control. In a country where daily survival is uncertain, the average citizen is left with little choice but to trade long-term development for immediate sustenance.

Sadly but true, politicians exploit this desperation, offering financial incentives or basic necessities in exchange for votes. The result is a democracy where the electorate is held hostage by economic deprivation.

Civic education, while essential, is insufficient if it is not accompanied by economic empowerment. As Dr. Amadi argues, no amount of voter sensitization can compete with the pressing need to eat. Until poverty is addressed, elections will continue to be transactional, with politicians purchasing mandates rather than earning them.

This is evident in Imo State, where the government manipulates economic hardship to maintain control. A state once known for its industrial, tourism, and commercial potential has been reduced to one where political survival takes precedence over economic growth. The people are deliberately kept in a cycle of dependency, ensuring that the grip on power is sustained.

Beyond economic manipulation, the ruling elite have actively dismantled Nigeria’s educational infrastructure to suppress political awareness. Education is the bedrock of an enlightened electorate - an electorate that can resist short-term gratification for long-term governance reforms. By ensuring that education remains underfunded, inconsistent, and ineffective, the political class prevents the emergence of a critically conscious population capable of demanding accountability.

Dr. Amadi highlights this as a strategic move by those in power. A well-educated society would see through political deceit and refuse to be manipulated. But with a weakened educational system, many Nigerians remain trapped in a cycle of misinformation and apathy, further entrenching the status quo.

In some states, including Imo State, the collapse of public education has contributed to the erosion of political awareness. A state once known for producing some of the brightest minds in the country now struggles with dilapidated schools, unpaid teachers, inadequate staff, and declining literacy rates.

The ruling elite benefit from this decay, as a politically unconscious population is less likely to resist bad governance.

Even when citizens muster the courage to defy these systemic barriers and vote, their will, as we have witnessed in the past, is often subverted. Electoral fraud, ballot manipulation, and post-election legal gymnastics by desperate and vicious politicians ensure that genuine democratic choices rarely translate into actual leadership changes.

This repeated disenfranchisement fosters a dangerous trend: voter apathy. Dr. Amadi notes that low voter turnout is often not due to laziness or indifference but a silent protest against a system that does not reflect the people’s choices. When elections repeatedly fail to deliver credible outcomes, citizens lose faith in the process, creating a democracy without real democratic participation.

Imo State has experienced this firsthand, with multiple elections marred by controversy. The people’s trust in the electoral process has been severely damaged, leading to a sense of resignation. This is precisely why voices like Dr. Amadi’s have become increasingly important in the state's political discourse—offering a glimmer of hope that confidence, intentional leadership, accountability, and reform are still possible.

For those who still believe in gradual reform, Dr. Amadi offers a sobering counterpoint: Nigeria’s current system is too flawed for incremental changes to yield meaningful progress. He argues that trying to build a functional democracy on a corrupt foundation is like erecting a skyscraper on sinking sand—it is bound to collapse.

What is required, he posits, is a fundamental dismantling and rebuilding of the system. Transparency, accountability, and leadership with integrity are crucial, but they must be supported by institutions designed to uphold them rather than undermine them. This means reimagining governance from the ground up, ensuring that structures do not simply serve the ruling elite but genuinely empower the people.

Dr. Chima Amadi, Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency and Advocacy, CTA, is intentional as much as committed to social-economic and political reengineering of the polity. Through his activism, policy engagements, and direct interventions, he has sought to bridge the gap between the people and true democratic governance. Unlike many critics who simply lament Nigeria’s problems 

His relentless push for transparency and accountability has made him a recurring name in discussions about leadership in Imo. By challenging the political establishment and advocating for electoral integrity, he has become a beacon of hope for those who still believe in the possibility of good governance.

Beyond political activism, Dr. Amadi has also taken tangible steps to improve lives through his foundation and direct philanthropic efforts. His approach is simple: if there is a need, address it—without waiting for bureaucratic validation. This practical leadership style contrasts sharply with the self-serving tendencies of many in power and serves as an example of what governance should look like.

Dr. Amadi’s reflections pose a critical question: Are Nigerians truly ready for the level of radical change required to rebuild the nation? Many citizens still cling to the hope that electing the "right" leaders will be enough to turn the tide. However, as long as the foundational structures remain broken, leadership changes will be cosmetic rather than transformational.

The fight for democracy in Nigeria is not just about electing better leaders—it is about overhauling a deeply flawed system. Until transparency, accountability, and true governance reforms take root, the dream of a functional democracy will remain just that—a dream.

Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi’s insights serve as both a wake-up call and a challenge. The question is: Will Nigeria, and Imo State in particular, answer?

Elemuo, a policy analyst and good governance advocate, writes from Abuja.