The Problem with Nigerian Democracy – by Ephraim Elombah

Democracy is a form of government that holds promises of enlightenment and development. It is introduced from the West and today, it is embraced in all parts of the world. In democracy, the head of State is selected through election. This is expected to bring up a person of proven character by the citizenry. The elected is therefore supposed to be known to be a person of sound judgment. But the reverse is the case with the Nigerian form of democracy.

There are many forms of government. These include monarchy, oligarchy, anarchism, aristocracy, communism, dictatorship, totalitarianism, republic, theocracy, the military and democracy. Of these forms of government, democracy is a recent form and started with the declaration of independence from the British rule by the United States of America. 

When America was a colony of Britain, they decided that since they did not have representatives in government, they would not have a fair share of proceeds from their own resources. On July 4, 1776, America gained independence from Britain and started to rule them.

Nigeria gained independence from British rule in 1960. In that year, the representatives of the three main regions; the northern region, the western region and the eastern region agreed to remain together as a nation. Elections were held and Tafawa Balewa of the northern region won and held the office of Prime Minister. 

As time went by, it became clear that the hopes held for the newborn country were not realised. Coups and counter coups plunged the nation into the dark periods of a civil war, similar to the dark periods experienced in Europe during the Second World War in which Germans fought Britons. 

However, while reconstruction began in Europe after the war, the opposite is true in Nigeria. Hatred and bigotry developed between the northern and south-eastern parts of Nigeria.

Leadership of the nation remained in the hands of the north, which had become a military rule. Dissatisfaction led to further coups until the military, headed by General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) handed over government to the democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari in 1979. Furthermore, leadership continued in the hands of the north.

Shehu Shagari had Alex Ekwueme from the south-east as vice president. It is supposed that since the second in command was from the south-east, there would be an equitable share of proceeds from the nation. During this time, infrastructures were built in the north, which contributed to development, such as roads, hospitals, schools etc. The north developed. Towns and local governments were instituted and developed. 

It became clear that either funds were not coming to the south-east or they were not enough. Furthermore, the leaders in government in the south-east were said to be diverting any available fund into private pockets.

All of this is happening under the backdrop of present worldwide moral realities. Nigerian youths are not exempt. Ask every Nigerian youth and he will tell you that if he becomes the president, he will first enrich his own accounts, transferring it overseas. Then he will make his relatives and friends rich, from public funds. Next will be the development of his town before and ahead of the interests of other parts of the country. It is these same youths that will turn around and blame others, the northern leaders, for developing their own regions at the neglect of others.

Nigeria is a country in which nothing works. Everyone sees the war against indiscipline as unnecessary hindrance to what he wants to use his time and resources to do. Those who bribe see themselves as being extorted instead of obeying the law. Bribery and refusing to heed the law are the bane of the Nigerian society. Self-regulation is sorely lacking among the populace.

This is also the case with governors and heads of government. The leader doesn’t restrain himself. For instance, he is the one to say when and where roads will be constructed instead of leaving that to the ministry of works. Friends and relatives come for favour and contracts are awarded at inflated values. He directs the distribution and allocation of public funds and infrastructures while those responsible for them look on because he is the one to employ or sack them. Former presidents are afraid of being probed. If they had used available resources judiciously, they would ask to be probed.

Leaders, present and past, should know that they entered office to serve the people. They should be satisfied with their due remuneration. Public funds should be used for justifiable purposes. Leaders should not allow themselves to be used for unjust intentions. Nigerians should leave their leaders alone and allow them to do their job for which they assumed office. 

Ephraim Elombah is a Civil Engineer based in Nnewi, Anambra State; elombahe@yahoo.com, +2348155516177