LAGOS, Nigeria — Former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey, stating that the nation’s political system is still evolving and has a long way to go before reaching full maturity.

Speaking during an appearance on TVC News' current affairs program Beyond The Headlines, Fashola noted that both the electorate and the political class must adapt their expectations to build stronger democratic institutions.

Fashola highlighted a major disconnect between the constitutional mandate of lawmakers and public expectations. He explained that while legislators are primarily elected to pass laws and sponsor resolutions, citizens often judge their performance based on direct personal or community intervention.

"Nigerians want to feel the impact of their representatives, especially lawmakers," Fashola noted. "It is difficult for a lawmaker to return to constituents and say, 'I have initiated and passed three bills and also sponsored resolutions for you.' Most Nigerians will simply tell such a lawmaker, 'We are not feeling you.'"

He pointed out that this pressure often distracts legislators from their core duties of lawmaking and oversight, forcing them to concentrate heavily on constituency projects to satisfy immediate public demands.

Looking ahead to future electoral cycles, Fashola expressed optimism that Nigeria's political culture will mature to a point where public discourse is driven by economic policies and governance solutions rather than personality clashes.

Citing international examples, he pointed to how policy pronouncements by political leaders in established democracies help galvanize constructive debates between governing parties and opposition movements on economic issues like the cost-of-living crisis.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also stressed the need for Nigerian politicians to embrace genuine sportsmanship after elections, emphasizing that not every electoral dispute belongs in court.

Recalling an off-cycle election experience with his political party, Fashola revealed how internal polling had predicted a loss before voting day:

"In one of the off-cycle elections that we participated in, we had a poll and it told us we would lose. When the result came out, we lost. I advised that we should not go to court, and we did not," he shared. "Something cannot be good only when it favours you. We have to be gracious in defeat."

Fashola concluded by reiterating the vital role of an independent judiciary in strengthening the rule of law, maintaining that accepting valid electoral outcomes and promoting issue-driven politics remain critical to deepening Nigeria’s democracy.