**Democracy and its local enemies in Nigeria** Democracy is a system of governance that continues to evolve over time, based on the will of the people rather than a single event or a fixed state. Even in the United States, often regarded as a shining example of democracy, challenges persist, including intense partisanship, declining trust in institutions, and threats to the electoral process. Similarly, Nigeria's democratization process faces its own set of challenges, including what some call "state capture" by the elite, the authoritarian tendencies of some of our leaders, and the recklessness of some of our lawmakers. The military mind-set of some of our politicians, who think of politics as a means to share power and wealth, is also a concern. It's misleading to suggest that democracy in Nigeria began to falter with the inauguration of a new president. The truth is that some of the current challenges are a continuation of historical problems. For example, after the 1964 election, some people refused to accept the outcome and instead called for a military takeover. Today, some individuals who claim to be champions of democracy are using their platforms to question the legitimacy of our electoral processes. They are trying to convince Nigerians that the current challenges are unique to our country and began with a particular administration. However, the truth is that the issues we face now are a continuation of the problems we have faced in the past. For instance, after the 2023 presidential election, some of these self-proclaimed warriors of democracy claimed that the election was rigged and even called for a military takeover. This is a disturbing trend that undermines the very principles of democracy. It's time for us to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that the challenges we face are not unique to our current administration. We must work together to address the historical problems that have plagued our democracy and move forward as a nation. By doing so, we can build a more stable and prosperous Nigeria for all.