Author: Nyisom Dore

Democracy: Commissioner, others laud uninterrupted process, suggest reorientation on patriotism

Democracy

By Polycarp Auta/Martins Abochol/Zainab Oyekan

Mr Musa Ashoms, the Commissioner for Information and Communication in Plateau, says periodic elections and smooth change of democratic system have remained top positive sides of Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999.

Ashoms told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Jos, that the transition from military to civilian rule had been a major achievement for Nigeria in the last 25 years.

“Nigeria has made significant strides in transitioning from military rule to civilian governance, with regular elections being held since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

“The country has seen peaceful transitions of power from one civilian government to another, which is a positive sign for democracy,” he said.

The commissioner however, said that the country had no doubt witnessed some setbacks in the period under review.

He listed some of the challenges to include electoral malpractices, insecurity and corruption, among others.

“There are also notable challenges that Nigeria has faced; issues such as political corruption, electoral irregularities, insecurity, and a lack of accountability, have all posed significant threats to the democratic process.

“These challenges have often impeded the country’s overall democratic development and undermined the trust of the Nigerian people in their government institutions.

“It is important to acknowledge that building a strong and vibrant democracy is a continuous process that requires commitment, transparency, and active participation from all stakeholders.

“While Nigeria has made progress in some areas, there is still work to be done to address the systemic issues that hinder the full realisation of a robust democratic system in the country,” he said.

Ashoms, however, noted that through sustained efforts to strengthen democratic institutions promote the rule of law, fight corruption, and ensure the inclusion of all citizens in the political process, Nigeria could further improve its democratic credentials in the coming years.

Meanwhile in Jalingo, Dr Yakubu Tor-Agbidye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Nigerians would need a total a reorientation towards patriotism.

Tor-Agbidye, the senatorial candidate of APC in the 2019 election, said that patriotism would address a lot of ills ranging from corruption, indiscipline, adherence to the rule of law, amongst others.

According to him however, Nigeria has grown, as 25 years of uninterrupted democracy was a landmark in the country’s democratic journey.

He also called on Nigerians to contribute their quota towards making Nigeria great again, as good governance was not the sole business of the leaders, adding that every citizen had a duty to contribute to good governance and the country’s growth.

He recommended the strengthening of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the appointment of right people to sensitise the citizens on values and patriotism.

“We must thank God for keeping us as one people from independence till date; and we appreciate God for a sustainable democracy for 25 years.

“It is common knowledge that a child of 25 years attains maturity and therefore, our democracy is a matured one.

“We need to change our attitude towards governance, and the psychosocial requirement needed is a reorientation towards patriotism.

“If you are a patriot, you must shun corruption, adhere to the rule of law and have respect for human dignity.

“We as citizens have our duty to shape governance and not by thinking government should do everything alone.

“Let us rededicate our vision for a prosperous nation as such can enhance our democratic system,” Tor-Agbidye said.

Also speaking, Mr Gambo Usman, State Coordinator, Congress for Democratic Advancement (CDA), a Taraba-based prodemocracy group said that Nigeria needed a good leadership to turn around its fortunes.

Usman said that the essence of leadership, which was ensuring the wellbeing of the people, had however, been jettisoned, giving room for agitations.

“Nigerians were complaining about Buhari and are still complaining about Tinubu today.

“This shows that our major problem is leadership, and we must team up to get the right leadership,” he said.

Mr Ben Adaji, a veteran journalist, said that most sectors were not performing up to their expectations.

Adaji said that the judiciary and the anti corruption agencies were not effective in the discharge of their duties.

He however, said that a 25-year-old democracy was expected to be strong enough to address poverty and underdevelopment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AZA/MK/OIZ/DOR

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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Democracy: Nigerians call for 6 yrs rotational system of govt.

Democracy

By Blessing Odega/Onyeje Joel-Abutu/Nicholas Dechi

Jos, June 12, 2024 (NAN) A cross section of Nigerians from the civil society, media and civil service, have called for a single tenure of six years and rotational system of government to improve Nigeria’s democracy.

The respondents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday, said unless the country reviewed its system of governance, dividends of democracy would continue to elude Nigerians.

Mr Uche Nnorom, a Makurdi-based Journalist, said wrong leadership and bad governance had continued to the bane of Nigeria’s underdevelopment.

According to Nnorom, leaders would be challenged to provide good leadership within six years and leave the stage for others because their for a second term tenure often leads to compromise and corrupt tendencies.

He said they would have enough time to concentrate on the business of governance and would not be forced to dance to the tune of hungry politicians who they would be trusting to help realise their second term ambition.

He said it was unfortunate that Nigerian leaders over the years had continued to be insensitive to the needs and yearnings of their people.

“They contest with selfish motives, and to achieve their goals, they always have to collude with INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) and the judiciary,’’ he said.

Nnorom therefore, urged leaders to ensure transparency, fairness and justice in leadership, as well as put measures in place to cushion the effects of any economic policies they might formulate in the overall interest of the citizens.

On his part, civil society activist, Mr Steve Aluko, called on the government at all levels to strengthen democracy in Nigeria by prioritising good governance, transparency and accountability, tackle corruption and also promote the rule of law at all levels.

Aluko, the Director, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), told NAN in Jos, that the legislature, judiciary and executive arms of government had all failed Nigerians.

According to him, the legislature, since 1999, has not passed any bill that will benefit the common man, such as the bill to make Local Governments (LGs) autonomous.

He further said that most of the bills passed by the legislators rather fell short of the expectations of the masses.

He also berated the governors for failing to conduct LG elections in their states, an act he described as contrary to democratic principles.

Aluko also accused INEC, which he said should serve as a critical instrument in ensuring an unbiased democratic process, of being compromised repeatedly.

“If the process is already compromised, then the product cannot be better off than the process itself,’’ he said.

The activist, also in the same vein, said the judiciary had also done more harm than dispensing justice as most of the progressive judgments judges passed were reversed.

He urged the judiciary to as a matter of urgency work towards redeeming its image, as Nigerians had lost confidence in the courts because the culture of impunity had taken over the justice process.

On the part of the executive, Aluko called on the government to ensure citizens were provided with basic social needs, particularly in the area of protection of lives and properties as insecurity in the country had heightened in the last 25 years.

Others who aired their views on Nigeria’s 25 years of democracy had been marred by the decisions of INEC and the judiciary.

They blamed the two bodies for government failures in delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

Mr Attah Edeh said INEC and the judiciary had not managed Nigeria’s nascent democracy well with its controversial results and judgments which had brought in some bad leaders and had led to untold hardships on Nigerians.

Edeh said: “INEC always clears unqualified candidates to contest election, and when the electorate exercise their power by voting qualified persons, INEC will still declare the unqualified ones as winners and ask the aggrieved parties to go to court.

“It is a vicious circle that has stagnated democracy in Nigeria for 25 good years”, Edeh said.

Also, some civil servants expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s democratic journey so far, especially as it concerned workers.

According to Mr Stephen Yohol, year after year, the emoluments of civil servants have remained stagnant, while those of politicians or public office holders keep increasing.

Yohol said that the economy of the country also kept depreciating on a daily basis for the past 25 years.

Mrs Veronica Ayoosu and Mr Joseph Bagu, on their part, said that Nigerians had not derived any benefits since the return of the country to democracy in the last 25 years, instead they had continued to face many challenges.

Ayoosu and Bagu said most civil servants across the country were currently finding it difficult to feed their families and the government did not appear to be doing something about it. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

UBO/ONA/DND/DOR

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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore