Democracy
Akure, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Nigerians have expressed mixed view about the country’s 25 years of unbroken democratic government with some commending successive governments for laying the foundation for good governance while others contend that no significant progress has been made.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the President Muhammadu Buhari led government had in 2018 declared June 12 Democracy Day in honour of the late Chief MKO Abiola, generally believed to have won the annulled 1993 Presidential Election.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, respondents, who spoke on Nigeria’s journey since inauguration of a democratic government in 1999, were however unanimous that there was need to put in place strong institutions to serve as catalyst for good governance.
Prof. Michael Oke, who teaches at the Department of Finance, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, said that the country had really grown democratically in the last 25 years despite some .
“Economically, several individuals who don’t know where we were in 1999 would probably not believe us, but, honestly we are not doing badly.
“In 1999, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) was mere $59 billion but as at the fourth quarter of 2023, Nigeria’s GDP rose to $1.16 trillion.
“This shows that we have really improved over the years.
“ Though, Nigeria has not really diversified as expected, because we still rely on the proceeds from oil, but, things are not that bad,” Oke said.
The lecturer also commended the freedom of press that allowed constructive criticism of government’s policies and programmes.
“On the freedom of Press, things have really taken shape compared to what was witnessed under the military era where journalists were always being apprehended with reckless abandoned.
“Another area where the democracy has really improved from what we had pre-1999 is the area of foreign direct investment (FDI).
“We now have more foreign investments in the country compared to what we had during the military era where foreign investors were not ready to invest in Nigeria due to political instability,” he said.
Oke, however, asked Nigerian government to ensure that its programmes and policies were directed towards creation of employment.
“Unemployment rate as at today stands at 38 per cent according to global audit and tax advisory firm, KPMG.
“Insecurity in the country is at the alarming rate, and honestly, it has defied every solution.
“It used to be Boko Haram, but, there are now bandits, kidnapping and even, killer herders are also on rampage,” the don said.
Oke identified corruption as another challenge frustrating the country’s march to progress.
“So, there is need for the country to improve our security apparatus, reduce the issue of unemployment and corruption to the barest minimum to enhance the lives of the citizens,” he stated.
Also, Pastor Paul Peter, a public affairs analyst, described the country’s uninterrupted democracy as a blessing to the nation, but said that there was need for the country’s political leaders to do more in ensuring that populace enjoyed more dividends of democracy.
He said that the current interest of the citizens of Nigeria was not how big the economy was, but how much of the trained jobless youths could be absolved to gainful employment whether directly by government or indirectly.
“ Looking at the power sector, we are actually generating more power now than 25 years ago.
“Freedom of speech is unquestionably better now than the military regimes that held sway over 25 years ago.
“The list is endless when considering how better Nigeria is now than earlier, but has Nigeria attained global standard of developments in it various sectors? The simple answer is no,” he stated.
Peter, however, said that there was a lot to be done on the side of the people.
According to him, it is the people who have a duty to critically examine the available laws for pitfalls and shortcomings.
“They need to develop appropriate skill in analysing the programmes of government to determine necessity, usefulness and whether it focuses on solutions to the problems or merely window dressing it,” Peter said.
Also, Mr Alo Martins, the Executive Director of Upline Centre for Development, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) said that Nigeria’s democratic journey had been marked by both progress and setbacks.
According to Martins, CSOs play a crucial role in pushing for democratic reforms, but there have been little improvements in some sectors while significant challenges remain in most.
“Nigeria’s democracy is still a work in progress.
“Progress varies geographically, with some areas experiencing more development than others. Corruption continues to be a major obstacle in many sectors
“Though, There is a significant achievement compared to the military rule that preceded it, because Nigerians now enjoy greater freedom of speech, press, and assembly compared to the past,” he said.
Martins, therefore, called on government to put in more efforts and strengthen the fight against corruption, empower security agencies, judiciary to be independent and improve electoral process
“Government also needs to ensure participation of women, youth, and ethnic minorities in political processes and decision-making, and address issues of social justice and inequality to create a more inclusive democratic society,” he said.
Also, a Pro-democracy Group, Ondo State Conscience Movement (OCM) has said that the country must instil sanity in democratic institutions while governance must be focused on improving the lives of the people being governed.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure, the Chairman of the Group, Mr Shalom Olaseni, said those at the helms of affairs must do more to ensure people who voted them to office are well catered for.
Also, Mr Niyi Adesokan Chairman, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Okitipupa Chapter, said that Nigerians stopped enjoying the dividend of democracy from the moment Local Government autonomy was removed.
According to him, local governments being the third tier of government and closest to the people at the grassroots deserved autonomy in order for development and for Nigerians to better enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“We just hope the fight to restore the Local Government autonomy is successful because development and dividends of democracy begins from the grassroots.
“The three tiers of government, the Federal, States and Local Governments must work assiduously for Nigerians to benefit the dividends of democracy,” he said.
In Ekiti, Mr Gabriel Bamidele, a public affairs analyst and commentator, said the hopes and expectations of Nigerians had not been met, especially in areas of employment, poverty alleviation, social equality and economic stability.
Bamidele said that Nigerians had not fared better under democratic rule when compared to military rule.
According to him, negative indices of corruption, unemployment, poverty, insecurity, poor infrastructure and underdevelopment were still high.
Also speaking, Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Ekiti, Mr Ade Ayeni, said Nigeria’s economic condition and lack of technological development were traceable to long years of bad leadership thereby making democracy unprofitable to the people.
” Attitudinal change and political will on the part of our leaders to resolve to rule better from the way it has always been done, is the only solution to sustainable democracy in Nigeria”, he said.
Similarly, Mr Edward Francis, a political scientist, said the major thing democracy had given Nigerians in the last 25 years was the consciousness and awareness of what the leaders were doing to the poor masses.
Francis said that democracy was not truly practised in Nigeria in the real sense of it, stressing that what was practised was a capitalism.
“Democracy has only shown Nigerians what the elites are capable of doing to the masses and what they have stolen from them.
“While the elites are united in sharing the common wealth of the people, the poor masses are united by hunger.” he said
Francis, however, said that the only way Nigerians could enjoy the dividends of democracy is when there is consequences for every bad action and decision made by people in authority
Dr Kolawole Aliyu, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said Nigerians had not enjoyed dividends of democracy in the last 25 years.
Aliyu said that democracy had not been delivered to Nigerians as expected in terms of rule of law, conduct of free elections, provisions of infrastructure, separation of power, quality education, healthcare, agriculture and electricity among others.
The don decried the high level of unemployment, poverty, dilapidated hospitals, bad roads, among others in the country.
He, however, admonished Nigeria leaders to live by example, by shunning corruption, allow rule of law to be practised through separation of powers, whereby the executive, legislature and judiciary would perform their duties unhindered. (NAN)
REPORTERS/AOS
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni