Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has questioned the state of democracy in Nigeria, claiming that 90 per cent of people currently occupying public offices would not have emerged if democratic principles were properly practised.
Okorocha made the remark during an interview with Arise News on Friday, October 30, 2026, while discussing Nigeria’s political environment and the process through which individuals emerge as leaders.
According to the former governor, the country’s democratic system has moved away from the ideals of genuine democracy, particularly in the areas of credible elections, fairness and equal opportunities for political candidates.
He argued that the current political arrangements do not always allow competent and popular candidates to emerge through a transparent electoral process.
Emphasising his position, Okorocha said as many as 90 per cent of Nigerians currently holding public offices might not have secured their positions if democracy were practised according to its fundamental principles.
He said:
“If democracy is practiced the way it should be practiced, 90 percent of the people holding office in Nigeria cannot hold office.”
His comments have drawn attention to concerns surrounding electoral credibility, political representation and accountability in Nigeria.
Okorocha’s remarks also raise questions about whether the country’s democratic institutions adequately protect the right of citizens to choose their representatives through transparent and competitive elections.
Under democratic principles, citizens are expected to determine who represents them through credible voting processes, while political institutions are responsible for ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability.
However, Okorocha’s 90 per cent figure represents his personal assessment of Nigeria’s political system. He did not provide a breakdown or supporting data for the estimate in the remarks contained in the report.
