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President Musa Yar'Adua and the Consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria By Benjamin Ogbebulu
The April-May 2007 General Elections in Nigeria was won by the People’s Democratic Party { PDP} retaining the Presidency, captured 26 of the 36 states governorships and control both chambers of the National Assembly. Although oppositions parties and civil society groups, have contested the results and in some states demanded a re-run, with allegations and insinuations that the PDP landslide was achieved through violent and illegal means in collaboration with the security agencies. Local and foreign election observers reported instances of intimidation and ballot stuffing , the late arrival of election materials and under age and multiple voting not only by PDP, also by major political parties. One thing was conspicuous , in spite of all odds, the high voter turnout of over 60% indicated that Nigerians have resorted accepting civilian administration over military rule and the transition of civilian to another civilian government is seen by vast majority of Nigerians as one of the political transitional achievement.
What the Government/ politicians, Scholars, Media, and Civil Society needs to do now is to take a stock and asses the overall electoral process , look at how the elections were organised and carried out, examine the electoral Act, amend it, if necessary and find ways to prune down the current 50 political parties to either 2 or three political parties with comprehensive progressive party blue prints and manifestoes different from the main party as oppositions to PDP, the ruling party, whose role on behalf of their members is to question the ruling PDP government policies when the occasion arise and hold the ruling party accountable to the public they represents. The opposition parties should be seen as parties with vision and clear objectives responsible for challenging the policies of the ruling government if need be, and producing progressive different policies where appropriate. The opposition parties should be able , just like PDP party, come up with manifestoes that explicitly and unambiguously detailed what their parties stand for in their mission statements, the party ideology and how it hope to solve the myriad domestic problems in areas like the economy, energy, poverty, Housing, transportation, Health , Youth Restiveness and gender issues facing the country.
Any government has to remain answerable to the public at all times, and good opposition parties can put the spotlight on serious issues for example the ongoing hike of fuel which affects mostly vast majority of ordinary people in the country. Active oppositions should also debate legislation vigorously in the House and during the select committees process to ensure the legislation receives careful consideration. It was alleged that in the last dispensation, some Assembly members did not contributed in the key debates or raised any motions throughout their tenure and what they did was to come into plenary sessions to look, listen and then leave. Being in oppositions sometimes is not about opposing the government as there are occasions when the oppositions agrees with the government in power if the solution proposed by the government has wide support , and is soundly based , then its only natural for the opposition to agree.
What the recent elections with its perceived imperfections has done to Nigeria as a nation is to give the country the opportunity to build a society that can guarantee justice as seen recently in Anambra where the supreme court, the highest court decision annulled the governorship election of Chief Andy Ubah , PDP candidate in favour of Chief Peter Obi , an APGA ,one of the opposition parties candidate. What this illustrates is that all hope is not lost in moving the nation forward politically, economically, culturally and judicially. As democracy without rule of law is like a vehicle without tyres. It is fascinating to note that president Yar ‘adua not only welcome this decision, but urged Chief Andy Ubah to respect the verdict and vacate the government’s office for Chief Peter Obi. what a landslide victory for one of the opposition parties in quest for justice which once eloped Nigerian Politicians and civil society groups in the country.
Following the political trends since the inauguration of president Musa Yar’Adua, it could be said that the president is committed to a nation building by adopting an holistic approach of politics without bitterness ,inviting the oppositions to join his PDP administration to move the country forward and then released one of the Niger Delta Militant Leaders. In return, Nigerians expect Alhaji Dakubo to follow the path of peace and constructive dialogue with all the stakeholders to solve the problems facing the Niger Delta Region. President Yar’Adua should be commended for his leadership skills and his visionary and unwavering commitment in adopting A Marshall Plan principle –A road to constructive dialogue and effective method once adopted in Europe after the 2nd world War to solve the political and Economic problems in Europe which today led to the birth of European Union where members who were once against each other are all under one umbrella.
THE NEED FOR CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY AND THE WAY FORWARD.
The international institute for democracy and electoral Assistance { IDEA} ,an international organisation based in Sweden assisting countries like Nigeria to grow Democratically in its consultative and empirically based study in its 1999 reports, highlighted the challenges facing Nigeria is to advance democracy in a way that is dynamic and sustainable. The institute argued that the present democratization process must move beyond elections and address such issues as civil liberty groups, individual and communal rights , basic freedom , human dignity , the rule of law and good governance. With this climate, according to the institute, Nigerians can acknowledged their responsibilities to each other and to society. And , there is need for a new understanding and relationship between government and the people and among all Nigerians with the aim of forming an all inclusive broad based government to address the issue of marginalisation and to :
The deepening and consolidating of democracy in Nigeria should encompass the concept of rule of Law, participation of a broad section of professionals, academicians, students, The press, women and youths of the country. Also, respect for minorities like the disabled people, The fatherless , orphans, homeless should be vigorously looked into and passionately address and the recent fuel hike should be revised to prevent civil unrest in the country. Nigeria needs leaders with human face and most Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora sees the recent increase in fuel as unfair act on the part of the government because the ordinary masses suffer it most and the only way to pacify the Nigerian Labour congress to back out from striking is for the government to stop this silly and inhumane increase in fuel for God’s sake. Let our leaders show compassion and allow equity to prevail . For whosoever must come to equity, must come with clean hands. The present PDP government is still battling the credibility crisis and now the party due to irrational decision of the past leader in its last week of handing over to new PDP government decided to put up the price, what sort of image is the party portraying and I could imagine the resentment among PDP party followers both at home and in the Diaspora , and this writer urge PDP members abroad to be proactive as PDP UK chapter is dormant, not accountable, transparent, lack vision and directionless, it should be overhaul and be reconstituted to assist the present PDP government in policy formulation .
This writer agrees with IDEA which argues that it is only through vigilant struggles can a country secure , anchor and deepen democracy .As History reveals, democratic struggles are not new in Nigeria. In colonial and post colonial times , It has been argued Nigerians waged unceasing struggles against colonials officials , warrant chiefs, native authorities, international financial institutions like the I.M.F and World Bank, and big business like Shell in Nigeria , as well as military ruler like the Abachas . These struggles focused on the denial of political and civil rights , very painful tax on the poor , poor living standard and working conditions and, above all, afflictions in whatever form or shape, people will resent and fight back. This writer support the argument for Government to immortalise Nigerians who have one way or the other lost their souls for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria and reward our living leaders who have contributed one way or the other for the survival of democracy in Nigeria . Leaders like Chief Anthony Enahoro and the likes come to mind.
The holistic approach adopted by the present PDP administration under President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua in solving the myriad problems like the Niger Delta is commendable and most Nigerians would like the new pact of this administration to be broad based to give people that sense of belonging. Although some PDP members might questioned this approach, but the adoption of this approach from a progressive school of thought could be seen as a bedrock for good ,open , transparent governance and capacity building for social justice and empowerment. As president Yar’Adua has taking the bold steps of forming an all inclusive broad based government, this writer enjoins Nigerians from all walks of life to joins hands with the government to move this potential yet to be great nation forward for our generations , children and generations to come. We only have one nation, one people and one destiny and we should all come together to address the challenges facing the country together. Among other challenges aside challenges in the area of energy, security , health, employment, youth restiveness are : -challenging of breaking the alliance among Nigerians anti-democratic ‘troika; militarism, negative communalism and petrobusiness.
It is argued by some scholars that military rule is only one aspect of militarism. Militarism is a total culture and a way of life as it forecloses debates, discussions, bargaining and compromise. Instead, it elevates force, order, intimidation, compulsion and control.
The other leg of troika seen as challenge is factionalism. According to IDEA, factionalism is expressed in ethnic supremacy and prejudice, and in religion fanaticism. Factionalism remains a profound threat to democracy in Nigeria. Because factionalism is exclusive and totalitarian, it negates the basic democratic principles of inclusiveness and freedom. Also, the violence that has come to be associated with it could overshadow and distort our nascent democratic order.
The third challenge is the petrobusiness. There is a school of thought that petroleum money could have funded years of military domination in Nigeria and fuelled conflicts and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. It resulted in a neglect of other economic sectors that has potential for the Nigerian economy, such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining ore just to mention a few. An important challenge today is to turn petroleum from the curse that it has been to an instrument for serving the urgent social and economic needs of the people. Also, the general challenge facing democratic consolidation in Nigeria could be described as the task of delivering the ‘democracy dividend’ equitably , in order to improve the quality of life of Nigerians as this consolidate Nigerians optimism in Democracy.
This writer shares IDEA’s view that democracy may not worth the pain if it is unable to deliver a higher quality of life and most Nigerians will shares this view as well. This is particularly annoying and disheartening considering the profound decline that the economy and society suffered under the military before Ex –president Olusegun obasanjo PDP administration came to power in 1999 and revamp the economy . Nigerians expectations are very high and in order for President Yar’Adua PDP administration not to dash the hope and expectations of Nigerians, it is important according to IDEA’S 1999 report to shift the focus from distributive politics, the popular demand for sharing the shrinking national cake , to productive politics, diversifying the economy to increase the size of the cake. At the same time , government needs to empower people to make them active participants and entrepreneurs in civil society and the private sector. The public-private partnership policy of the government should be effectively and efficiently implemented.
THE NEEDS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA.
Another area of challenge is the reviewing of our constitution. A constitution is the law of the land on which the rule of law is vested . Justice Albie Sachs of South Africa once argued that constitution –making is a process by which a nation births and writes itself, its past, present and future. Most Nigerians have questioned the authencity and credibility of our constitution and according to International institute for democracy and electoral Assistance, { IDEA}, all over Nigeria from North to South, East to West , calls for a constitutional development/amendment process would be welcome by Nigerians and Chief Anthony Enahoro’s agitation for a people’s constitutional amendment should be looked into by the senate. Although, the last administration fruitlessly argued for the change but was overshadowed and overpowered by anti 3rd term agenda whose relevant to this issue was blown out of proportion as the transition has now occurred, there is an urgent need for constitutional amendment to reflect the new relationship between the state and its citizens under president Yar’Adua PDP administration.
While Nigerians believe in the competence and integrity of the our new crops of leaders headed by President Yar’Adua administration, majority of Nigerians would like the propose constitutional amendment to address among other issues :
- Transparency and Accountability : Nigerians wants government structures and process that are transparent , decentralised and participatory - The efficient and effective delivery of public services and address the on going issues of corruption in both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s economy - Promotion of human rights and freedom of press, equality of citizenship and diverse groups based on ethic origin , religious affiliation and gender issues. - Peace and security: freedom from fear of crime , and pursuit of national reconciliation and nation –building - Redefining the ‘Federal character’’ of the Nigerian state, Strengthening the two process of devolution , state integration and balancing among the Federal ,state and local governments with regard to each organ power, responsibilities and resources. - Review the structure, composition, operations and funding of INEC so that it can attain autonomy. - Institutionalize continuous voter registration and staff training to enable INEC staff to carry out their duties efficiently. - Enforce media Ethics and establish a trust to manage state media. Most of the state media function as partisan mouth pieces, reinforcing the exclusion of social actors outside government. These instruments should be managed by independent public trusts dedicated to maintaining high ethical standards and non-partisan. Media organisation, such as the Nigerian Guild of Editors, The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, The Nigerian Union of Journalists, The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and The Newspaper Proprietors Associations of Nigeria should act as an umpire for both the Government and the public and make objectivity their watch word. - Redefining citizenship on the basis of residency and recognition of dual Nationalities of Nigerians in Diaspora and the rights to vote to be enshrined in the constitution.
As Nigeria marches steadily and progressively towards mature democratic nation, and the expectations of Nigerians high under president Yar’Adua all inclusive government, Let all Nigerians joins hand together in moving Nigeria forward. Forward ever, backward never.
Benjamin Ogbebulu is an activist, Administrator and Writer based in London, England
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