Injustice, Cause of Nigeria’s Faltering Democracy, Says Gov Diri
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has again identified the absence of justice, equity and fairness as the three pillars responsible for Nigeria’s tottering democracy. The Bayelsa governor also
Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, has criticized Nigeria's faltering democracy primarily due to the absence of justice, equity, and fairness. At the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Diri emphasized the need for fiscal federalism and the rule of law to improve the country's democratic journey.
He cited Bayelsa State as a case study, highlighting the decades-long injustice in resource exploitation, particularly crude oil, and the uneven distribution of national revenue. The Bayelsa governor lamented that the oil-bearing areas, including the Oloibiri community, lacked adequate development despite contributing significantly to the country's revenue.
Diri also pointed out the discrepancy in resource allocation, where his state, with only eight local government areas, had its resources shared in Abuja among states with more local governments. He further connected resource exploitation to insecurity, noting that the mining of gold in some northern states led to increased unrest.
Diri praised former President Goodluck Jonathan for organizing the annual Democracy Dialogue, urging the continuation of such platforms to foster a democratic culture. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of true federalism for Nigeria's democratic growth, expressing his appreciation for the dialogue's success and calling for ongoing discussions to enhance the nation's well-being.
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