Prof Hassan A. Saliu
In 1960, when Nigeria gained what some have described as flag independence, reflective of the nature of its relationship with major western countries, there was jubilation and happiness across the country. Indeed, some progress has been made afterwards 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 has lasted for a quarter of a century. The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) therefore 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.
Derived from its immense endowments, especially oil wealth, a God-given resource, our nation should not be importing what it has in abundance, which not much can be accounted for the stupendous oil money it has received. And the succour expected from the new private initiative at refining petroleum products is mired in needless controversies based on the usual intra-class contestations. Meanwhile, basic things of life that one ordinarily would take for granted have remained elusive for Nigerians.
The citizens, who used to be treated well and accorded respect abroad, have, in the last four decades, become the subject of scorn, as every Nigerian is believed to personify corruption and dishonesty, while embracing other countries. This can be attributed to the poor management of the national economy, which has turned citizens who tried to escape from the pangs of the economy into literal beggars across the world.
How else can we describe the situation where citizens migrate to other nations in droves, believing they have more humane attitudes than their own nation? Yet, when privileged Nigerians travel abroad and lavish money on goods and services provided by those countries, they instantly realize something is wrong with our nation. Indeed, a lot is wrong with it.
Major statistics on existence have been consistently and mostly negative for the country. For instance, our debt burden, where we spend virtually all our earnings on servicing external debts, some of which have dubious sources. Poverty in the midst of plenty is another incidence that is difficult to explain, given our endowments. Democracy in particular has been increasing the number of poor Nigerians since its return in 1999. Citizens have conveniently concluded that the palliative regime is the thrust of managing the unhealthy economy by the Nigerian state.
Infrastructural development has also been disappointing, despite borrowing humongous amounts of money to fix it. The fact known to all Nigerians is that there is nothing to cheer about it, especially when we look at the wealth of the nation, including borrowed money, meant to give more life to the subsector. One can go on and on about the failures of the nation at 64.
The NPSA is not planning to embark on a journey of lamentations on this occasion, though we are of the opinion that we should use this year’s anniversary to tell all Nigerians, including its leaders, some home truths, reflecting in the obvious fact that as a nation, we have underperformed.
It is not only in the area of the economy that we have failed; we have also failed in our national integration efforts, leading to lowered morale. Insecurity has virtually taken over the land, and our governance structure shows a tendency towards creating more comfort zones for the leaders. Consequently, ordinary Nigerians are not getting enough dividends for their investments in democracy, as it only serves as an empowerment platform for democratic torchbearers.
Notwithstanding the negative turn of events for our nation, our Association fully supports the continuation of democracy but certainly not in its current form, which relegates the wishes and aspirations of citizens to the background. We instead support a democratic order that is more rooted in the rule of law and practically demonstrates that sovereignty really belongs to the people.
Specifically, we argue for a democratic order that reflects the African value system, not the borrowed one that bears little relevance to our African identity which prioritizes people’s welfare, not only obsessed with the health of capital.
Our Association has identified several key areas where Nigeria is challenged, and it is crucial to address these challenges to move the nation forward. These include the following:
(1) Flawed Democracy: Nigeria’s democratic practice is flawed in its orientation and delivery, catering primarily to the interests of the upper class rather than the masses.
(2) The oil sector is playing out the thesis that it is only out to serve the interest of members of the upper class, not the masses.
(3) So many stories about mismanagement and corruption surround the existence and operations of the NNPCL that no one is ready to tackle.
(4) Our democracy is too expensive; it is only out to cater for its major operators.
(5) Nigerians are not being committed to the goal of national unity arising from the attitudes of politicians.
(6) There are too many abandoned projects on which huge resources have been committed.
(7) Little attention is paid to cost when executing projects.
(8) Cost of contracts was above world average by over 30% under President Jonathan. It is likely to be higher now.
(9) The huge accumulation of wealth by key public officials cannot be justified under the prevailing general unhealthy economic environment.
(10) Life has become unbearable for most Nigerians.
(11) Removal of oil subsidies may be justified but not in the context of widespread discontent in the land.
(12) Diversification has been mouthed but there is nothing on ground beyond the expansive tax net.
(13) Political parties are not democratic to the extent of contributing more significantly to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
(14) The electoral system is not adding up mainly because of shortage of democrats to push it forward.
(15) There is a gulf between the leaders and the led in the country.
(16) The government sees the people as enemies, especially when they air their views on issues, while people also view the government as evil or enemy. This is the general orientation of citizen-government relations in Nigeria.
(17). The enabler for this is the lack of accountability in government affairs.
(18) While a war against corruption is being waged, the ground is being solidified for corruption to grow bigger.
(19). Education, both as a social service and contributor to national development, is not being accorded the priority that it deserves.
(20). Productivity is almost at zero level, and nothing seems to be done about it.
(21). Neoliberal principles dominate economic planning despite proofs that they cannot work because of faulty assumptions.
(22) Nigeria’s foreign policy is not showing the steam of the past.
A layer of the governing elite in Nigeria
Reforming Nigeria’s democracy and governance is crucial for its progress. Here are some of the steps that need to be taken:
- Re-examining Liberal Democracy: Nigeria’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.
- Humanizing Governance: Injecting humanity into the governance process is essential. This involves prioritizing citizens’ welfare and addressing their concerns. Setting up a Technical committee to review the reports the previous efforts at national conversations and address the unabated agitations for restructuring.
- Inclusivity in Public Life: Nigeria lacks inclusivity in its public life, which hinders national unity and progress. Deliberate efforts are needed to mainstream inclusivity and ensure all citizens have a voice. The state can do this by respecting all the extant laws on the issue.
To achieve these reforms, Nigeria needs to:
- Suspend unnecessary perks for public officials: Reduce unnecessary privileges to show solidarity with ordinary Nigerians.
- Admit and address governance issues: Acknowledge the suffering of Nigerians and initiate sincere conversations.
- Prioritize economic stability: Focus on economic growth before embarking on large-scale projects.
- Review all the abandoned projects that litter the land.
- Always be cost-conscious in 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 for Nigerians to know what has happened to the subsidy regime that has warranted the collective punishment or hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
- Reform political parties: Make 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: Ensure 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.
- By addressing these areas, Nigeria can move towards a more progressive and democratic future and subsequently make future independence anniversaries more meaningful to all Nigerians.
The author is the President, NPSA
