A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has declared that Nigerians are yet to see a clear difference between the current democratic dispensation and past military administrations after 26 years of civil rule.

Oguntoyinbo made this statement on Thursday while assessing Nigeria's democratic journey since the Fourth Republic began on May 29, 1999.

The NNPP chieftain lamented that traits reminiscent of military rule are still observable among many political officeholders, arguing that most promises made by elected officials remain unfulfilled.

"It is sad that, even in a democracy where the people's interests should come first, our political leaders still govern as though under military rule. They often suppress the people's will, which is not in line with democratic values," he said.

Unfulfilled Electricity Promise

Oguntoyinbo specifically reminded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of his 2023 campaign promise to provide constant electricity, noting that two years into his administration, many Nigerians still suffer from poor or nonexistent power supply.

"Let me also use this opportunity to remind President Tinubu's administration that one of its campaign promises was the provision of regular electricity. But two years in, Nigerians still endure epileptic power supply," he stated.

The NNPP chieftain emphasized that a steady supply of electricity is crucial for attracting investors to the country and warned that failure to fulfill this promise could work against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Call for True Democratic Governance

Oguntoyinbo urged political officeholders at all levels to uphold democratic principles in governance rather than operating with a mindset rooted in military dictatorship.

"Those in positions of authority must use their offices to demonstrate and uphold true democratic governance rather than reverting to military-style leadership," he concluded.