Two prominent lawyers have asserted that Nigeria's democratic practices will attain maturity in the next 25 years. Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, a former presidential aide, and Justice Osai Ahiakwo, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, issued separate statements to mark Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999. Both agreed that Nigeria's democracy and its institutions are young and even embryonic, requiring time and patience.
In his own reflection, Justice Ahiakwo said despite attaining 25 years since returning to democracy, there has not been true reflection of the government of the people. He believed that most of the general elections conducted during these 25 years were not really a reflection of the people's desires. 'The electioneering processes adopted in the past 25 years do not have a true reflection of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.