The Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) yesterday said reforming Nigeria’s democracy and governance is crucial for its progress.
The association posited that the nation’s current democratic practice is flawed and needs reevaluation.
” The country’s reality doesn’t align with the principles of liberal democracy, which requires a certain level of productivity to thrive. Setting up a technical committee on reexamining the concept of liberal democracy and its practice in Nigeria is desirable,” NPSA said in a statement on Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
The statement with the theme ” Nigeria @64: Taking Stock of Politics and Governance by NPSA” was signed by the association president, Prof. Hassan Saliu.
While urging the government to prioritise citizens’ welfare and address their concerns, the association called for the setting up of a technical committee to review the reports of the previous efforts at national conversations and address the unabated agitations for restructuring.
Noting that Nigeria lacks inclusivity in its public life, which hinders national unity and progress, NPSA called for deliberate efforts at mainstreaming inclusivity and ensuring all citizens have a voice, adding that: ” The state can do this by respecting all the extant laws on the issue.”
It added: “To achieve these reforms, Nigeria needs to suspend unnecessary perks for public officials, reduce unnecessary privileges to show solidarity with ordinary Nigerians and address governance issues, acknowledge the suffering of Nigerians and initiate sincere conversations.
” Prioritise economic stability by focusing on economic growth before embarking on large-scale projects. Review all the abandoned projects that litter the land and always be cost-conscious when initiating projects.
“Demonstrate the willingness through legislation to bring to book leaders who have not been cost-conscious in project execution. This should extend to the oil sector so that Nigerians know what has happened to the subsidy regime that has warranted the collective punishment or hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
“Reform political parties by making parties more democratic and less undemocratic. The oil sector needs to be cleaned up to bring about more transparency to it in view of its strategic importance to the nation. Clean up the electoral system by ensuring free, fair, credible and popular elections. Nigeria’s foreign policy needs recalibration to sustain the gains of the past. Reduce the level of confidence repose in the neoliberal economic principles.”
NPSA said that by addressing these areas, the nation can move towards a more progressive and democratic future and subsequently make future independence anniversaries more meaningful to all Nigerians.
It, however, noted that some progress had been made in some sectors of the political economy, such as the expansion of access to education and infrastructural development.
“After many years of military rule, the country once again returned to democracy. The last experiment lasted for a quarter of a century. Therefore, the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) congratulates all Nigerians for staying on the democratic path despite its drawbacks, including the rising number of poor Nigerians and the frittering away of the Commonwealth.
“Significantly, we note the resolute determination of Nigerians to remain one nation in fairness and justice despite threats to break apart. This year’s celebration should be marked with a sobering mood, given the reality of our existence as an independent nation. It is opportune on this occasion to remind Nigerians that, as a nation, we have been blessed with abundance but have failed to entrench good governance that brings joy to the citizens,” it said.
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