Kate Henshaw didn’t hold back as she delivered a scathing verdict on the state of Nigeria during a special Democracy Day broadcast on Channels Television, marking the country’s 26th year of uninterrupted civilian rule. The award-winning actress and outspoken activist declared there was “absolutely nothing to celebrate,” citing the collapse of systems meant to serve the people.
Appearing on the June 12 broadcast, Henshaw questioned the point of longevity in democracy if it continues to fail the very citizens it was meant to empower. “What exactly are we celebrating when the people can’t feed, can’t live in peace, and can’t find justice?” she asked, adding that Nigeria’s brand of democracy had become distant, disconnected, and destructive.
With inflation hitting 33.69% in April 2025 and the naira’s continued depreciation pushing more Nigerians below the poverty line, Henshaw said the middle class had all but disappeared. “There’s no middle class anymore. We are either extremely rich or extremely poor—and most people are barely holding on by the skin of their teeth.”
The actress emphasized that every critical sector—health, education, infrastructure, and security—was in decay. “Everything around us is crumbling,” she declared. “This democracy has not delivered the basic dividends. It’s just a structure that benefits the elite while the masses suffer in silence.”
Despite her frustrations, Henshaw urged citizens not to retreat into apathy. She called for collective civic pressure, reminding Nigerians that their voices still matter. “We cannot afford to be silent anymore. We must demand justice, equity, and real security—because people are dying every day, and no one is held accountable.”
While slamming successive governments for their failure to prioritize the people, she expressed cautious optimism that change is still possible. “Even in this chaos, I still hold on to hope. We must fight for a country that our children can inherit, something worth building on.”
Her Democracy Day remarks have since gone viral, resonating with a public weary of unfulfilled promises and daily struggles. From social media timelines to protest grounds, Kate Henshaw’s words have once again ignited the call for honest governance and fearless activism.
