Godwin Onuh Odeh, Ph.D., After the military had a carnal knowledge of the nation’s politics in January 15, 1966, it dominated t...
Godwin Onuh Odeh, Ph.D.,
After the military had a carnal knowledge of the nation’s politics in January 15, 1966, it dominated the political scene till on 29 May, 1999. Thus, 29 May becomes momentous in Nigerian political history. However, in 2018, the then incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR changed Nigeria’s democracy day from 29 May to 12 June. Since then, June 12 has been the date in the culture. June 12, 2025 marks the two years in office and the second Democracy Day under the APC led administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR. Essentially, the initial date of 29 May, was to mark the end of military rule and the symbolic return of the nation to civil rule. It was also for Nigerians including our democrats or politicians to recommit themselves to ensuring they protect and preserve the tenets and ideals of democracy. While 12 June, is to remind Nigerians including her democrats of one of the fairest and freest elections in which the acclaimed winner, Chief M.K Abiola of the blessed memory and Nigerians were denied of their rights and choice. This was a clear case of rape of democracy.
Ideally, and beyond symbolism, Nigerians are expected to celebrate the gains and not the pains of democracy as has been the case in successive administrations since 1999. This vexed issues calls for a reexamination of democratic principles and practices in Nigeria and how the politicians, the so called democrats plies their craft.
Originally, the idea of democracy is traced to the ancient Greek city of Athens, and it is a derivative of the two Greek words; demos (the people) and kratia (power, rule), meaning government or leadership by consent. This inspired Abraham Lincoln’s famous conception of democracy as the “government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Though nations are at liberty to be governed by government and leadership of their choice, which might possibly lead to the creation of something like African democracy, “the will of the people” must take the centre stage or prevail in any legitimate government. Perhaps, the attempt to create a Nigerian version of democracy at the twilight of the military quitting the political stage influenced General Sani Abacha of the blessed memory, to have said that, “people should forget about Abraham Lincoln, without his definition of democracy”. If he had lived, probably we might have had a better or a biter version of democracy.
Be that as it may, presently, the taste of democracy in Nigeria is not as pleasant as promised due to several interrelated factors that are fundamentally embodied in the very character and nature of the nation’s democrats/ politicians. One of the primary ways Nigerians democrats become threat to democracy is through electoral malpractices. Several politicians have been known for vote buying even buying of delegates, right from or during party nomination and the real elections day. They have also been involved and behind all ballot snatchings, destruction of electoral materials where opponents are perceived to be winning and they are losing , and other forms of electoral manipulation to get elected into office. In some case too, those through questionable elections emerged as principal officers in the National Assembly. The consequence of this is the predetermination of elections outcome where the will of the people no longer count. Voting they say no longer count, in some quarters. One of the consequences of this is that, the citizens become democratically apathetic. Thus, the botched attempt in the National Assembly to criminalize non-voting habit of eligible Nigerians during elections through legislative means. In short, very recently, inconclusive elections by the INEC has become synonymous to a rigged elections underscoring the overbearing influence and pressure on the institution that should safeguard electoral integrity.
More so, democrats become threat to democracy through hyper corruption. The fact is, whenever names of politicians are mentioned minds quickly goes to corruption especially in the area of embezzlement of fund meant for constituency projects and development and diversion of money meant for the common good of the people. Nepotism too and other forms of corruption has led to the situation where the government appear interested in serving the interest of the selected few than the masses , the former group is what Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon of Edo State called the microscopic few. Democracy is in short, at risk when it becomes government of some people, by some people and for some people. When democrats become compulsively corrupt, democracy loses the fundamental taste of its multiple dividend.
Furthermore, the politicization of security agencies and institutions constitutes another fundamental challenge to democracy in Nigeria. Politicians aligned with party in power deploy and uses security agencies to intimidate their opponents, rig elections and suppress dissent. This created an atmosphere of clear understanding and perception of security agencies as tools of oppression rather than institutions saddled with the responsibility of protecting the citizens. The worst of it all is the allegations and counter allegations that politicians and some top security officials have hands in the security trauma the country is currently facing. Should that be true, what is the hope of the nation, before one could even talk about the wellbeing of democracy?
In addition, the overt lack of internal democracy within political parties has also been a major threat to democracy in Nigeria. Many political parties are characterized by a lack of transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in decision-making processes. This has led to where party leaders often imposes their preferred candidates on the party, without due regard for the preferences of the party members. This happen at state and federal level. In some instances too, money bag politicians and other financial heavy weights who are interested in one position or the other imposes themselves on the people and the party. Crisis arising from imposition and self-imposition of candidates on parties contrary to wishes of the people, and contrary to zoning principle was of course a significant factor that led to the predictable fall of the then ruling PDP in 2015. The political quagmire the PDP found itself and has been gasping for breath since 2015 and 2022 particular after the party primaries in which Mr. Nyson Wike fell out with Alh. Atiku Abubakar and Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in a bid for 2023 general elections may find a clearer explanation within the context of issues of internal democracy within the party. The ruling APC too shares similar challenge, but not as bloated as that of the PDP. Opinion were that, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu was not the preferred candidate of many, but openly imposed himself on the party on what he called Emilokan, (it is my turn) and life time ambition. Who said it was his turn, the party or himself? Here appear to be a clear case of self-imposition on the party. The way and manner some strong APC members that were very close to PMB distances themselves from President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s government shows something is fundamentally wrong. However, how he emerged, the APC appeared to have upheld to the idea of zoning principle than the PDP; the later which fielded northern candidate instead of southern candidate for presidency in 2023 general elections. Lack of internal democracy therefore, is a handiwork of none else but politicians themselves who ply the craft. This is no doubt choking Nigeria’s democracy to death.
Finally, but not limited to, is the failure of democratically elected leaders to deliver on their campaign promises. This has been a major challenge. Promise is promise as the minister of FCT, Hon. Nyesom Wike would say, “Agreement is Agreement” and should be kept. Nigerian politicians are known for grandiose promises during electioneering campaign, which they hardly deliver on them once elected into office. This has led to loss of trust and confidence by the citizens on the political process and they are increasingly disillusioned with this brand of Nigeria’s democracy. Perhaps, as noted earlier, Abacha’s fashion might have been better if he had succeeded.
In sum, while democracy is often touted as the best form of government, the Nigerian experience is prominently pointing to the opposite, as elected officials are themselves standing democracy on the head. Borrowing the words of the former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, “democratization in Nigeria has not been accompanied by life more abundant and poverty has not been declining with the consolidation of democratic rule”. This therefore, means, democracy is useless if the citizens are left without the elementary necessities of life. In total, electoral malpractices, corruption, politicization of security agencies, lack of internal democracy within the parties, and repeated failure to delivering on campaign promises, are just but few of the several ways which democrats have undermined democracy in Nigeria. To strengthen democracy in Nigeria, there is need for institutional reforms, electoral reforms, and a clear commitment to accountability and transparency in the affairs of government. Despite the circumstances that produced him, President Ahmad Bola Tinubu, a man of political will and wealth of experience should do all he can to rescue Nigeria’s democracy rather than the alleged plot to install one-party regime in Nigeria. Happy Democracy Day to the Federal Republic of Nigeria! May the labours of our hero’s past never be in vain!
Godwin O. Odeh, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer with the Department of History and International Studies, Sokoto State University, Nigeria and a Public Affairs Analyst.
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