Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has declared that even the worst democratically elected government is better than the best military regime, arguing that democracy remains the best system for protecting citizens’ freedoms and ensuring government accountability.
Osinbajo made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at the 59th birthday celebration of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri at the Government House Banquet Hall in Yola.
He maintained that democracy gives citizens, including the poorest members of society, the freedom to form lawful associations, express their views and demand transparency from those in power.
According to him, no other system of government provides citizens with the same opportunities to exercise their rights and hold leaders accountable.
The former vice-president also urged the Nigerian judiciary to prioritise the interests of ordinary citizens rather than focus solely on protecting institutions.
He warned that weak institutions could undermine democratic governance, stressing that the strength of democracy depends largely on the institutions established to uphold it.
“When the foundations of institutions are weak, democracy will also be weak, because those institutions are the foundation of democracy,” he said.
Osinbajo further called on governments to formulate policies that directly address citizens’ needs, arguing that people would be more willing to support government programmes when they experience tangible benefits.
On the fight against corruption, he advocated practical approaches and greater engagement with citizens, particularly through social protection initiatives designed to improve living conditions.
Recalling his time as vice-president and chairman of the Economic Team, Osinbajo said the administration budgeted N500bn for social protection programmes, including school feeding and soft loans for small businesses.
He described the programmes as successfully implemented, adding that government policies must produce measurable benefits for people at the grassroots, particularly low-income earners.
Osinbajo also commended Fintiri for his performance in infrastructure development, describing him as one of the country’s best-performing governors in the sector in recent years.
He credited the Adamawa governor with helping to restore peace in the state, while noting that the creation of new chiefdoms could strengthen peace and bring government closer to rural communities.
Also speaking at the event, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas praised Fintiri for transforming Yola into a modern state capital and improving its infrastructure.
Kefas noted that Fintiri had received infrastructure awards from two different Federal Government administrations.
Fintiri and his wife, Lami, who celebrated her 50th birthday on the same day, expressed appreciation to guests who joined the family for the occasion.
The governor was born on October 27, 1967, while his wife was born on October 27, 1976.
Other dignitaries at the celebration included Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum.
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