Political scientists in Nigeria have lamented that despite the return of the nation to democratic rule 26 years ago, its benefits have not been evenly distributed.
They also noted that Nigeria’s democratic journey in the period under review has been fraught with challenges.
President of the Nigeria Political Scientists Association (NPSA), Prof Hassan Saliu ventilated the position of his colleagues in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Monday.
“As Nigeria marks 26 years of its Fourth Republic, which commenced in May 1999, it is evident that the country’s democratic journey has been fraught with challenges. Despite efforts made by successive governments to improve the lives of Nigerians through various policy initiatives, the reality on the ground suggests that the benefits of democracy have not been evenly distributed,” he said.
Saliu who teaches at the University of Ilorin, listed military hangovers, self- serving interest, sluggish policy implementation, over-reliance on neo- liberal economic principles, politics as a business, lack of progressive ideologies, quick fixes and divisiveness as critical issues hindering effectiveness of democratic governance in the country.
He said that the aforementioned issues have resulted in credibility issues with elections, undemocratic political parties, political defections, dominance by a single party, budget padding and erosion of the middle class.
Prof Saliu added that these have also resulted in poverty and unemployment, debt accumulation, stress in democratic practice and investments in non-impactful projects, promotion of primordial sentiments, rancorous politics, subservient legislature and loss of independence of action.
“Given these challenges, the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) is concerned about the state of democracy in the country. The NPSA notes that democracy has largely served the interests of the ruling elite, while the majority of citizens have not benefited significantly.
“To address these issues, it is essential to reorient the political system towards developmental politics prioritising citizens’ needs.”
The political scientists also advocated fundamental adjustments as necessary measures to ensure that democracy delivers benefits to all Nigerians, not just a privileged few.
“The reality of democracy in Nigeria today is that it has not prioritised the people. This should not be so,” Saliu said.
