“No Middle Class, No Justice”: Actress Kate Henshaw Laments Nigeria’s Democratic Decay

 

Renowned Nigerian actress and vocal activist, Kate Henshaw, has expressed deep dismay over the state of the nation, describing Nigeria’s democratic journey as hollow and unreflective of the people’s needs. Appearing on Channels Television’s special Democracy Day programme, Henshaw painted a sobering picture of a country trapped in prolonged dysfunction, despite over two decades of uninterrupted civilian rule.

Speaking with a mixture of emotion and clarity, the award-winning actress questioned the relevance of celebrating Democracy Day when the country’s governance fails to improve the lives of its citizens. According to her, the idea of democracy as “government of the people” rings hollow when the populace continues to grapple with extreme poverty, insecurity, and institutional decay.

“Everything around us is crumbling,” she lamented, her voice charged with urgency. “Nigerians are barely holding on by the skin of their teeth.”

The actress highlighted a disturbing trend of disconnect between the people and those elected to serve them. To her, the longevity of democratic rule in Nigeria—now 26 years without military intervention—holds no meaning when it remains stripped of value for the majority.

She described the erosion of the middle class as a critical indicator of the country’s downward spiral. With widespread economic hardship, soaring inflation, and dwindling job opportunities, many Nigerians are either sliding deeper into poverty or struggling to maintain livelihoods under impossible conditions.

“There is no middle class and we cannot tell any more lies to ourselves,” Henshaw stated bluntly. “Every sector of the economy has been in shambles.”

From power supply to education, healthcare to transportation, she described a nation in systemic collapse. The silence of many in the face of hardship, she suggested, may no longer be resignation but a sign of exhaustion and despair. Still, she issued a firm call for civic responsibility, urging Nigerians not to give up on holding the government accountable.

“We cannot keep quiet,” she insisted. “There must be justice, equity, and security for the people—for their lives and property.”

Her words come at a time when the country is facing rising insecurity, fuel price volatility, and increasing emigration among young professionals. The actress’s critique reflects a broader sentiment across civil society, where frustration continues to mount over unfulfilled promises and failed leadership.

While she offered a candid assessment of Nigeria’s democratic deficit, Henshaw also conveyed a fragile hope—that of a better Nigeria, not just in dreams or slogans, but in practical transformation.

“I still hold on to hope that we will have a country to live in,” she said, “for our children—something they can build on.”

Her appeal resonated with a growing number of Nigerians disillusioned by the elite political class yet unwilling to surrender to hopelessness. Henshaw's passion was not merely that of a celebrity using her platform but of a citizen who feels the weight of a country staggering under the burden of its own potential.

This isn’t the first time the actress has spoken out on national issues. Over the years, she has built a reputation as a bold advocate for accountability and people-centered governance. Her recent remarks, however, carry a deeper tone of urgency—a reflection of the acute challenges facing Africa’s most populous nation.

As Nigeria marks another year under democratic governance, voices like Henshaw’s serve as a moral compass. They remind the nation that democracy is not merely about elections or political rituals, but about the quality of life it secures for its people.

For many, her message is not one of despair but of uncomfortable truth. It calls for a reawakening—among the governed and the governors alike. A democracy that does not uplift, protect, or include its people is, as Henshaw implies, democracy only in name.

Hope, in her words, must be accompanied by vigilance. And justice, not ceremony, should be the true mark of national celebration.