Activist and social commentator Mahdi Shehu has described Nigeria’s democratic experience since 1999 as a burden rather than a blessing for ordinary citizens. In a post shared on X, Shehu said democracy in Nigeria has delivered more pain than progress, calling it a “killer pill” that has become a source of suffering and death for many people. He accused political leaders of greed, deception and a complete lack of concern for human life.

According to Shehu, many politicians have failed in their duty to serve the people, breaking the social contract that binds leaders and citizens. While he admitted that a few leaders may have good intentions despite their mistakes, he argued that most are selfish, wicked and insensitive. He said their actions continue to inflict emotional and psychological pain on millions of Nigerians every day.

Shehu further accused politicians of draining the country’s resources through corruption, wasteful spending and extortion, while ordinary citizens battle hunger, poverty and untreated illnesses. He lamented that leaders live lavishly in the face of widespread hardship, watching their constituents suffer and die from preventable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. He also blamed poorly designed economic policies for the collapse of small businesses, rising unemployment and the destruction of families and communities.

The social critic concluded that many politicians present themselves as righteous leaders but are inwardly cruel, saying they “wear the face of Moses but hide the heart of Pharaoh.” For many Nigerians, he argued, democracy since 1999 has only deepened poverty and suffering. In his words, Nigeria’s democracy has become a clear example of “man’s inhumanity to man,” offering hope in name but hardship in reality.