Facade Democracy: A Search for Solution -By Yusuf Nabil & Salihu Bello Yero

Democracy has a long standing tradition. In the contemporary world, it has been considered the best form of government in a pluralist societies because it depicts the inherent nature and identity of the society but it is not equally successful everywhere. The success of democracy depends upon many conditions. As opined by Alexis de Tocqueville, democracy as a form of government cannot function properly unless it is supported by suitable socio -economic and cultural factors.

Imhonopi, and Urim summarises how true Democracy is supposed to be, whether liberal, modern or African. It includes a fundamental recognition of popular sovereignty, representativeness, minority rights, equal opportunity for all, majority rule, popular consultation, consensus on fundamental issues and more importantly periodic election which serves as the backbone of every democracy.

Democracy is a system through which citizens of a given state exercise their rights in voting for whom they feel is capable of representing them in decision making. Most of those elected representatives at different levels especially in third world countries and Africa in particular, are egocentric in nature, always after their stomach infrastructure rather than being altruistic by designing and initiating viable policies that would be for the betterment of the general populace or for the welfare of a common man. There have been cases of looting of public resources by public office holders thereby enriching themselves and their family at the expense of the common man. This is evident in cases such as that of Kano State governor who was allegedly caught on video stuffing money into his pocket. Others that were found guilty were Plateau and Taraba state former governors.

Despite its cradles that focuses on majority rule and popular choice of who should be at the helm of power, its practice has been bastardized in Nigeria by the political elites who manipulate the general practices to their favor through dubious means available.

The major problems of Nigeria’s democracy are self- interest and lack of accountability. Democracy brings out the most powerful weapon to fight against these fiendish act which other forms of government doesnt provide, the weapon of Public Opinion. The future of any democratic nation depends upon the development of human wisdom, as no other form of govemment gives citizens the right to articulate as democracy does.

For democracy to be consolidated, there should be a sound social, political, and economic justice. Similarly, there cannot be a healthy environment for democracy without self-reliance and fulfillment of peoples needs. In Nigeria, it has become the culture of its politicos to campaign for road, electricity, and pipe borne water and even today these demands are not fulfilled. People are living in agony and hardship, they resort to all means available for survival including criminal acts such as murder,rape and destruction of public properties. Most of these people that create violence in the society are backed by certain politicians to protect their interests,they always go scot-free after committing heinous crimes whereas,minor criminal offences are kept in prison for long without trial thereby infringing on the right to free hearing.

Inspite of all the available resources, the nation skyrocket the division between the haves and the haves not (masu kudis and the talakawas). The haves are united by common interest irrespective of ethno-religious and regional differences. The have nots are united by common suffering and lack of proper democratic dividends to enjoy a relatively qualitative life.

At this juncture it’s imperative to note that, religion and ethnicity are the powerful weapons used by the politicians to balkanize society and win the heart of the masses. The masses give their allegiance to the candidate not with big ideas presented to them but rather big men with big interest, measuring their credibility by the religion they practice or the ethnic group they belong to. People’s merit are judged by their religious and cultural affiliation. Lack of clear and proper political culture and socialization is appealing to these political problems which gave the elites chances to continue manipulating minds and inflicting hardship on the masses who are yet to awaken from their slumber.

Nigerian polity has been ruled since from inception to date by two set of interlocking groups, the military and some prominent politicians who occupied the power position in the state . These groups are linked by the ties of family and friendship and mostly shared common social backgrounds. This depicted what Robert Michel propounded as “Iron law of Oligarchy” that is the form where small group of the chosen elite make all decision concerning the general public, largely in their own interests.

Democracy is not considered bad if it serves the interest of the majority. The system is not supposed to be dictated by one side of the society. If the system is lopsided, there will be a serious crises of secession and marginalization. Therefore, there cannot be true sense of democracy where one part of the society dictate to others without mutual reciprocity.

What then is the solution to these existing trend? The opinions of different scholars,both social media and real scholars have filled the air now that the polity is getting warmed up for political activities. Some are of the view that the youth should take over to find a better solution to Nigerian Democracy, others believe that the existing arrangement favours the democratic setting better. According to a few number of people,there is a need to recycle those in power with those capable,not necessarily the youth.

To achieve this, the masses should firstly make agreements with political office holders on certain issues which if not fulfilled might result in calling them back is another way to solve the problem.

The strength of Democratic institutions in Nigeria is weakened by different factors such as lack of respect to the rule of law. These institutions need positive reforms where everybody would be seen equal in the eyes of law and allow justice to reign
Politics of big ideas such as that of Aminu Kano and Yusuf Maitama Sule should be imbued rather than politics of big men with big interests.

Secondly, there is a high demand for widespread education through campaign and awareness. This serves as an asset to any democratic nation. People should be literate enough to exercise and judge the policies of their government. There should be free access and positive use of social media to check the excess of government and constructively criticize policies of government that doesnt favour the electorate.

Sadly, only educated electorates can use social media the best, to protect and promote the interest of the common man. Others have turned it into an avenue to condemn and slander other people’s canditates without genuine reasons to do so.

Yusuf Nabil
nabilyusuf8810@gmail.com
&
Salihu Bello Yero
salihubelloyero6@gmail.com