Towards Deepening Nigeria’s Democracy
The success or otherwise of any democratic institution is consequent upon a deliberate, strategic and robust interface between state actors and the public.
Recent developments in Nigeria’s democratic space demonstrate the near absence of an effective synergy and dialogue between state actors and the people. This situation unfortunately is heightened by the enduring impression that politicians are not peopleoriented.
The corresponding implication of this scenario is that it breeds distrust, disharmony and generally negates the harmonious working relationship necessary for a proactive democracy.
This seemingly disconnect in the system is not only abysmal, unhealthy but equally anti-democratic. It is only in African democracies that leaders remember their constituents merely during election seasons. When leaders in Nigeria’s political system are seeking political office, they freely interact with the people, making reoccurring unfulfilled campaign promises. Just like school pupils reciting the Nigeria national anthem at the assembly ground. As soon as election is won, leaders relocate to secluded spic and span havens and now riding in tinted SUVs with a retinue of security men and gadgets and making mockery of the same people that elected them to office.
However, as vague as it might suggest, it is interesting that democracy as a system of government has come to stay in our political system. Therefore, as the tenets of democratic governance are gradually ensuing in the polity, mutual trust and stability are necessary for sustainable democracy.
In deepening same, certain variables must be present, prominent among these is a genuine concern by the government towards assuming greater legitimacy. There should also be a reassessment of the involvement and input of the people in public policy.
Furthermore, there must be the presence of a new political spirit and the pursuit of the enthronement of the rule of law regime. The electoral process must also be credible and truly democratic. Imposition of candidates in our electoral system as it were and “god-fatherism’’ are the greatest challenges of the nation’s democracy. Processes must be obeyed and respected. The process to any end is more important than the end itself. If our democratic process is faulty, certainly the outcome will simply be faulty.
In deepening the nation’s democracy therefore, government must develop a passion for reforms aimed at strengthening the institutions of state and bridging the gap between it and the people. Government must also pursue a new agenda for an all-inclusive governance strategy that are people driven.
Furthermore, government must seek to create a platform for engaging the people and drawing from the benefits of dialogue and consultations in strengthening its decision making. Government must equally avail its resources and networks towards creating a platform for knowledge- based discourses to enrich the democratic process.
Government must also embrace co-governance as necessary strategy to tap in to the energy of society as well as improve its accountability through a combined strengthening of public participation in governance. Government must encourage co-operation with civil society groups, experts and professionals in governance strategies to harmonise divergent interests in the national polity.
These, no doubt, will create a platform for constructive engagement of the mass public on issues of governance. It will deepen the nation’s democracy through the provision of a consistent medium for collective interface on all policies of government. The co-governance strategy and dialogue with the people will improve the quality of governance and also help build confidence within the citizenry.
In order to achieve these, government must encourage Town Hall meetings with the people at local, state, and federal levels. Others include roundtable sessions, conferences and seminars on effective state and the people synergy and partnerships.
Government must invest in public sensitisation, awareness and feedback programmes to mobilise the people and win their interest and participation.
Furthermore, government must develop youth and women empowerment programmes, pension reform programmes, job creation programmes, social security and safety nets. Increased network with NGOs, CSOs, and CBOs, international and multilateral agencies will also inject international standards in driving national governance. Inter-governmental dialogue and interagency collaboration are also necessary to deal with complex social issues and challenges. Government’s direct interventions are necessary in all sectors as well as designing frameworks for private sector investment in all sectors of the economy.
These are the exquisiteness and standards of democracy that distinguish it from other forms of government. It has been severally argued that the worst form of democracy is better than the best form of dictatorship. Democracy allows for opposition and minority views. The question may be asked, Is the present opposition in Nigeria’s democracy credible enough to deepen democracy? This will form a discussion for another day but it must be emphasized here that democracy will lose its value and relevance in the absence of a credible and formidable opposition.
It must be stressed too that democracy would also have lost its value if it cannot deliver its dividends to the people. Democracy is an investment of the people’s collective will on a group of persons who now hold the state in trust and must deliver on the trust or lose its value and relevance.
Finally, there must also be a responsible followership for a credible democracy to thrive. The fellowship must constantly demand accountability and commitment from its leaders. The concept that a nation gets the kind of leaders it deserves is premised on the power of the people to define the direction and focus of its leadership. When the people realise their powers to hire and fire their leaders and apply same accordingly, leadership will undoubtedly become people oriented.
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