A Psychologist’s Insight Into Combating Senseless Governance, The People’s Excruciating Exhaustion, And The Provoking Of Coups By Foolish And Incompetent Leaders -By John Egbeazien Oshodi

While the disdain for military takeovers gains ground, the continent battles another nemesis: toxic civilian leadership. Corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations has plagued African governance. From Nigeria to the smallest societies, these leaders have undermined progress.

Corruption remains a scourge, bleeding economies and stalling development. Toxic leaders muzzle dissent and cripple democratic institutions.

Amidst ethical complexity, military intervention can swiftly depose corrupt civilian leaders who’ve lost public trust. Yet, the absence of trust in many African leaders is evident.

In times of turmoil, the military can restore order temporarily, allowing reforms and new elections. This mustn’t undermine democracy or concentrate power within the military.

Prolonged military rule stifles accountability and democratic rights. International backlash and economic damage often follow military interventions.

While some Western political and corporate figures have been criticized for cozying up to corrupt African leaders, the consequences of these associations ripple far beyond diplomatic circles. Driven by economic gains, resource access, or geopolitical interests, these interactions inadvertently fuel African governance challenges.

Such connections inadvertently prop up self-serving regimes, nurturing corruption, and hindering development. The paradox of endorsing democracy while associating with dubious governments erodes international credibility, undermining the cause for good governance.

In Africa, the erosion of term limits corrodes democratic values, entrenches political dynasties, and thwarts new leadership perspectives. This sparks public unrest, protests, and even violence as citizens rally for transparent governance.

Toxic civilian leaders stifle growth and undermine the populace’s well-being. Unaccountability, misallocation of resources, and an unstable environment impede progress in vital sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Global responses to incidents like Trump’s alleged coup actions highlight stark differences in interpreting and addressing political events. The emphasis on established processes and respecting election outcomes underscores the importance of democratic norms, even amidst disagreement.

In certain African nations, support for military intervention emerges from frustration with unrepresentative governments. The military is seen as a corrective agent, capable of reinstating accountability and driving change in the face of leadership failures.

Corrupt African leaders’ resort to suppressing citizens’ calls for accountable governance. Advocates for authentic political processes and peaceful engagement are met with abuse, demonstrating the precarious balance between civilian and military powers.

In this landscape, one certainty remains; while disturbed leaders may suppress civilian demands for change, they recognize the limits of their control when military intervention looms, shifting the dynamics of power and accountability.

Nepotism and tribalism have entrenched themselves in certain African nations, where leaders leverage familial and tribal alliances to consolidate their hold on power. While these tactics might yield short-term gains for leaders, the long-term consequences on governance, social unity, and stability can be deeply negative.

Appointing relatives and tribal members bolster loyalty within inner circles and secures influence over pivotal roles. This dynamic both cements authority and facilitates manipulation, allowing leaders to maintain their grip on power. Given these manipulative practices, it might seem reasonable for the military to intervene, despite the inherent challenges.

The paradox lies in leaders who reshape the rules to remain in power even when they possess considerable resources. In Africa, where leaders exhibit such behavior, the allure of military intervention might indeed beckon.

When citizens perceive appointments based on personal ties rather than merit, trust in the government’s fairness and efficacy erodes. This fuels democratic regression as self-interest overrides national welfare, prompting a potential opening for the military to act as a corrective force.

Bribery and coercion cast a shadow over judicial independence in certain countries, impairing its integrity.

When judges succumb to bribery or threats, their ability to dispense impartial justice erodes. This undermines the bedrock principle of judicial independence, which is essential for upholding the rule of law and ensuring equitable trials.

Corruption can permeate the entire judicial system when judges are susceptible to bribes, fostering an environment where influential individuals evade accountability due to their control over legal proceedings.

Fear-based manipulation within the judiciary stifles society, as citizens shy away from pursuing justice or reporting crimes when they perceive an unjust legal system. This perpetuates a cycle of injustice and abuse.

External pressures, whether through bribes or fear, can distort judicial decisions, leading to miscarriages of justice that erode human rights and erode trust in the legal system. While military force might seem like a way to counter these tyrannical practices of civilian leadership, it’s essential to remember that such an approach isn’t the intended solution. Sustainable change calls for comprehensive reforms that address these issues systematically and responsibly.

Can anyone with common sense rationalize the prolonged presidency of leaders whose families have governed nations for over five decades? This practice raises valid concerns of corruption and a democratic deficit. The recurrence of such scenarios across Africa hints at deeply ingrained political and leadership issues, potentially bolstered by corrupt tactics.

A conversation between President Bola Tinubu and the Canadian Prime Minister underscores the significance of upholding constitutional democratic governance. This aligns with the principle of respecting the people’s will and facilitating fair elections. However, Nigeria’s recent presidential elections, along with others, have been marred by violence, voter manipulation, law enforcement dishonesty, and transparency doubts, casting shadows on the democratic process.

Multiple military coups across Africa since 2019 have ignited worries about political instability. Corruption breeds economic inequality, deprives essential services, and triggers social turmoil, providing fertile ground for military intervention.

Accountability for corrupt leaders, coupled with a commitment to the rule of law, can curb electoral manipulation and diminish the need for military interference. The prospect of a democratic society, where ideals are upheld and military interventions are minimized, hinges on eradicating corruption, fostering transparent elections, and bolstering regional collaboration.

Digitalization, through enhanced government-citizen interaction and service delivery, emerges as a potent tool against corruption. The colonial past casts a long shadow on many African countries, where exploitative colonial rule sowed the seeds of resource extraction, wealth inequality, and corrupt systems. This legacy paved the way for post-independence corruption.

Beyond independence, some nations faced neocolonial pressures from Western powers, perpetuating corrupt governance systems. Puppet regimes and resource market manipulation orchestrated by external actors continue to undermine local governance, perpetuating corruption’s grip.

The journey toward transparent governance, respect for democracy, and economic growth entails confronting these historical and contemporary challenges head-on. The eradication of corruption remains central to shaping a brighter African future.

As long as certain African leaders continue to disregard the concerns of their people, resorting to divisive tactics, pressure, intimidation, and manipulation for personal and political gain, and as they employ both direct and indirect strategies to mislead the international community, the possibility of periodic instances of military disruptions could remain a reality.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA; and a former interim associate dean and assistant professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings. A former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. In 2011, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. He has taught at various universities and colleges including Florida memorial University, Florida International University, Broward college, Lynn University, and a contributing faculty member at the Weldios university in Benin Republic, Nexus International University, Uganda, Nova Southeastern University and Walden University in USA. Professor Oshodi is highly regarded as an authority on psycho-prescriptive writings concerning African institutional and governance matters. With an impressive body of work that encompasses over forty academic publications and books, as well as over 300 public opinion articles, he emphasizes the values of truth, ethics, and transparency in his work.

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