What Really Are We Celebrating?
Today, flags will fly, speeches will be delivered, and official messages will mark another year of democratic rule.
But somewhere in Nigeria, a mother is still waiting for her abducted child.
Somewhere, communities still sleep with one eye open, listening for gunshots in the darkness.

Somewhere, citizens pay taxes to a government facing challenges in guaranteeing their safety, while criminals continue to operate with troubling confidence.
We are told to celebrate democracy. But democracy is not an annual ritual of speeches and ceremonies.
Democracy is security.
Democracy is justice.
Democracy is the freedom of a child to go to school and return home safely.
Democracy is the confidence that the government prioritises innocent lives over political calculations.

If our children can be held hostage for months, if terrorists can dictate the rhythm of life in parts of our nation, and if citizens have become accustomed to fear, then we must ask hard questions.
What exactly are we celebrating?

A democracy that cannot protect its people must stop celebrating itself and start proving itself.
Today, as we mark Democracy Day, let our celebration be accompanied by sober reflection and a renewed demand for leadership that delivers not just promises, but also protection. A nation is not judged by the beauty of its democracy, but by the safety of its people.

An article written by Prince AkanInyene Gibson Umanah.