NPSA Scores Democracy in Nigeria Below Pass mark

The verdicts are turning in Ahead of the 26^th anniversary of democracy in Nigeria since 1999. The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), for instance, has withheld a pass mark for democracy in Nigeria, saying that the reality on the ground is that Nigerians are not smiling.

The association is pointing out that democracy has largely served the interests of the ruling elite, while the majority of citizens have not benefited significantly. It is, therefore, calling for a reorientation of the political system towards developmental politics which prioritises citizens’ needs. “Fundamental adjustments are necessary to ensure democracy delivers benefits to all Nigerians, not just a privileged few, it says.

In a statement ahead of the 26th anniversary of democracy in the country, NPSA president, Prof Hassan Saliu, said a critical review shows that democracy has faced and is facing crucial challenges.

According to the NPSA, these challenges include:

1. Overhang of relics of military rule and temptations to dictatorial tendencies by the country’s democratic leaders.
2. Prioritisation of self-serving interests on the part of the ruling elite over the needs of the general population, evident in the kinds of policies being pursued.
3. Sluggish policy implementation such that, for instance, it took several months before the new minimum wage became law.
4. Over-reliance on neoliberal economic principles, exemplified by removal of oil subsidies on May 29, 2023.
5. Politics becoming a lucrative venture, with many politicians focused on personal gain rather than public service.
6. The absence of strong ideological underpinnings and the dearth of transformative leaders as well as persistent crises engulfing visible political parties, all of which underscore the lack of ideological attachment.
7. The short-term or quick fix disposition that policymakers prefer over long-term strategies.
8. the pervasiveness of divisive rhetoric and actions that undermine national unity, as evident in the emotional attachment to rotational principles and sectional gatherings preceding the 2027 elections.

The NPSA is arguing that the defining features of democratic politics have resulted in a number of implications. It lists them as follows:

1. Elections whose outcomes are not popularly believed to be credible and transparent
2. Political parties lacking internal democracy and which have failed to promote democratic values.
3. Politicians switching parties for personal gain rather than ideological reasons.
4. The dominance of the political landscape by one party, potentially stifling opposition and limiting choices.
5. The practice of padding budgets with questionable entries benefiting politicians at the expense of the general population.
6. The squeezing of the middle class with many individuals struggling to make ends meet, exemplified by the neglect of university professors.
7. A significant percentage of the population living in poverty and unemployment
8. The situation in which the country is accumulating debts that future generations would have to pay.
9. Unconstitutional acts and tensions as well as disregard for due process and court judgments marking democracy
10. Investments public funds on projects that do not address critical human capital development needs
11. The promotion of primordial sentiments by which politicians exploit primordial sentiments to further divide the population.
12. Rancor and tension have defined the political process
13. The legislature which have become so subservient as to most often rubber-stamp executive decisions without adequate scrutiny
14. The compromising of national independence in the pursuit of external interests

The NPSA concludes that the reality of democracy in Nigeria today is that it has not prioritised the people, adding how this should not be the case!

Political parties, Public funds, NPSA, Democracy, National independence, Developmental politics, Elections,