The battle before the 2027 ballots, By Dakuku Peterside

It is in these quiet, often-overlooked arenas — not on election day—that democracies either flourish or gradually unravel. This distinction is essential in the months ahead. Nigeria has every reason to take pride in sustaining uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999. In a continent where constitutional disruptions and democratic reversals have become increasingly common, the country’s record of regular elections represents an achievement worthy of recognition. Governments have changed through the ballot box, opposition parties have occasionally defeated incumbents, and democratic institutions have matured with each electoral cycle. Yet democratic longevity should never be mistaken for democratic consolidation.