‘Have Sold Our Rights for Coins: Nigeria’s Democracy Is No Longer Owned by the People’, says Akpoki

In a searing keynote address at the 3rd Advocate Lecture Series in Ughelli, Delta State, Dr. Charles Akpoki declared that Nigeria’s democratic system has been hijacked, not by coups, but by citizen apathy, political ignorance, and the commodification of votes. Speaking to an audience of political and civic stakeholders, Akpoki argued that electoral victories fail to translate into good governance because Nigerians no longer hold the government accountable.

“That is not democracy,” he said. “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But in Nigeria today, the people do not own the government.”

He blamed the pervasive culture of vote-buying and the high cost of politics for producing leaders focused on recouping campaign expenses rather than serving citizens. “Nigerians sell their rights for small amounts of money,” he noted, warning that godfatherism and a lack of concrete development plans have turned personal interests into public concerns.

Earlier, Delta Central Senator Ede Dafinone had called for a shift from rhetoric to practical solutions ahead of the 2027 elections, defending recent economic reforms while acknowledging persistent issues like vote-buying. But it was Akpoki’s blunt assessment that resonated most: until citizens reclaim ownership of the political process, he cautioned, the ballot will remain a tool of patronage, not progress.