Niger stakeholders express mixed feelings on Nigeria’s democracy journey

Political scientists, legal practitioners, politicians and other stakeholders have expressed divergent views on Nigeria’s democratic journey since the return to civilian rule in 1999, citing both notable achievements and lingering challenges.

The stakeholders spoke in separate interviews in Minna as the country marks 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

They generally agreed that while democracy had recorded significant milestones, more efforts were needed to deepen democratic institutions and improve governance outcomes.

A political scientist and lecturer at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Aliyu Shamsudeen, described Nigeria’s democratic experience as a mixed journey characterised by successes and setbacks.

According to him, democracy is an evolving process that requires continuous assessment and improvement.

Mr Shamsudeen said the country’s democratic experience had been largely positive, particularly in strengthening institutions and sustaining civilian rule despite existing shortcomings.

Also speaking, a legal practitioner in Minna, Job Okebe, said democracy had brought progress in some areas, especially within the judiciary, while challenges remained in others.

He identified notable achievements of the judiciary since 1999 as promoting true federalism in revenue allocation, protecting human rights and serving as a check on executive excesses.

Mr Okebe, however, listed corruption, delays in the dispensation of justice and inadequate judicial independence among issues requiring urgent attention.

Another legal practitioner, Sayuti Babakatun, described Nigeria’s uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999 as one of the country’s greatest democratic achievements.

He also highlighted regular elections, stronger democratic institutions and increased citizen participation in governance as major gains of the democratic process.

However, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at IBBU, Shuaibu Shittu-Isyaku, argued that Nigeria had yet to achieve meaningful democratic development.

According to him, poor public accountability, a weak electoral system, widespread impunity, disregard for the rule of law, corruption and infrastructural deficits continue to undermine democratic consolidation.

“Nigerians are not feeling the impact of democracy in terms of development and accountability,” he said.

Mr Shittu-Isyaku advocated a return to a two-party system and the adoption of a unicameral legislature to reduce governance costs.

He also called for the restructuring and strengthening of anti-corruption agencies and electoral institutions to enhance their independence, efficiency and effectiveness.

Some politicians also assessed Nigeria’s democratic journey as a work in progress requiring further reforms.

A former Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Bawa-Wuse, said although progress had been recorded, much remained to be done.

According to him, many Nigerians have yet to fully embrace democratic values and culture.

“The major achievement is that Nigeria has sustained uninterrupted democratic governance from 1999 to date. We need both structural and attitudinal reforms to move democracy forward,” he said.

Mr Bawa-Wuse advocated a unicameral legislature and a reduction in the size of the executive arm of government to cut governance costs and minimise corruption.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM), Mohammed Kuta-Yahaya, described Nigeria’s democratic journey as progressive, noting that citizen participation had increased significantly over the years.

He said the country’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule remained a milestone worthy of celebration despite existing challenges.

Mr Kuta-Yahaya noted that Nigeria had recorded its longest period of democratic governance, beginning with the transition programme initiated by former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar in 1998.

He added that successive democratic transitions, including transfers of power between different political parties, further strengthened the nation’s democracy.

The university administrator, however, stressed that Nigerians deserved better governance and urged elected leaders to consolidate democratic gains through integrity, accountability and commitment to citizens’ welfare and security.

The stakeholders expressed optimism that despite existing shortcomings, Nigeria’s democracy would continue to mature and deliver greater benefits to the people.

 (NAN)