Nigeria's Democracy Day: CSOs Express Concerns Over Lack of Discipline and Electoral Reforms

As Nigeria marks its 26th anniversary of interrupted democracy, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have expressed concerns over the indiscipline of the political class and the need for electoral reforms. In an interview with LEADERSHIP, the executive director of the Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation, Armsfree Ajanaku, stated that the political class has managed democratic processes in a way that has alienated the Nigerian people and made the entire nation-building project appear to be about the exclusive empowerment of elected and appointed officials. Ajanaku highlighted the endemic nature of impunity in the system, which has resulted in the deepening of extreme poverty.

Key Takeaways:

• The political class in Nigeria has managed democratic processes in a way that has alienated the Nigerian people, making the entire nation-building project appear to be about the exclusive empowerment of elected and appointed officials.
• Impunity has been endemic in the system, resulting in the deepening of extreme poverty.
• The management of democratic processes alongside the economy has resulted in a double jeopardy, where the Nigerian people are fast losing hope in democracy as the vehicle for realizing national aspirations, while simultaneously deepening poverty.
• Even the ancillary benefits of democracy and popular participation, such as the rule of law, press freedom, and inclusive governance, have suffered due to the attitude of the political elite.
• The data shows a steady decline in electoral processes at the national and sub-national levels.
• The early start of political activities is a concern, with a larger chunk of time being spent on political activities rather than governance.
• The political class is paying little attention to governance, despite having two full years left on their constitutional mandate.
• Defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are driven by the president's re-election bid and are undermining the democratic process.

Statistics:

• Between 1999 and the 2023 general elections, realities and instances of manipulations, inducement, falsification, abduction of political opponents, and voter suppression were commonplace.
• Elections in Nigeria have been fraught with fraud.
• The country's GDP has increased by 192% since 1999, but overdependence on oil has triggered rising inflation and poverty.
• Security challenges such as Boko Haram, banditry, and farmer-herder clashes have displaced communities, reduced food production, and made life harder for ordinary Nigerians.

Sources:

• Armsfree Ajanaku, executive director of the Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation
• Monday Osasah, director of the Africa Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development
• Saudatu Mahdi, leader of Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative
• Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, national chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council
• Segun Imohiosen, director of information and public relations
• LEADERSHIP