Copyright (C) 2009. General Studies Division. First Published: 2009 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. PRINTED AT UNILORIN PRESS UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN ii 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 170 22 23 24 25 Model Building and Usage in Social Science Research Bello, Raji Abdulghafar Basic Concepts and Principles of Public Administration M. N. Bello Principles of Economics I. B. Kadiri Monetization of Fringe Benefits in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects 0. A. Ilesanmi Bank Consolidation and the Excess Liquidity Question in Nigeria Abdulrasheed Abdulraheem Recapitalization in Nigerian Financial Institution: An Overview Ajayi Michael Adebayo Skill Acquisition and Youth Empowerment Gunu Umar and Aremu Mukaila Ayanda Factors Militating Against Self Reliance and Employment Generation by Nigerian Youth O. Adeniyi Fawole The Concept of Justice Bashir A. Omipidan Elements of Democracy Ademola Azeez History and Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria Jide Ige Criminal Justice System in Nigeria: An Appraisal Saliu Isiaka Onimajesin Dress Code and Adornment on Campuses: Issues and Challenges Joseph O. Fayeye iii 108 116 125 131 142 148 155 164 174 185 195 206 HISTORY AND SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA Jide Ige Department of History, University of llorin, Ilorin Nigeria INTRODUCTION The present shape and size of the geographical area called Nigeria is a colonial creation, whose process though gradual and systematic, began long before the 1914 amalgamation. Indeed, the amalgamation became a climax in the attempts to create one administration for the various nationalities in Nigeria. The need for such an administration became necessary to facilitate and enhance the exploitation of the abundant human and material resources of the area. To achieve this goal, it became necessary for the British to alter and modify the existing political institutions. This made it possible for the British in particular and the West in general to sustain their interests in Nigeria. However, on October 1,1960, Nigeria achieved political independence.. Following the attainment of independence, a democratic governance was put in place. The democratic rule was terminated by the military in January 1966. Many reasons were responsible for the termination. They included corrupt practices, ethnic marginalization, inter and intra-party crises. In 1979, Nigeria returned to another democratic rule which also did not last as it was terminated again by the military in December, 1983, who maintained that the politicians did not learn from the mistakes of the past. After many years of intermittent military rule, Nigeria returned to democratic governance on May 29, 1999. To sustain this democratic experiment calls for the role of history. The dominant role of history is to remind the politicians in particular and the political class in general not to allow the repeat of past mistakes. By reminding them, history would have made immense contribution to the promotion and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. The chapter is discussed under sub-themes which include colonial Nigeria; post independence era and problems of democracy. The work concludes by making some recommendations. COLONIALNIGERIA Indeed, democracy irrespective of its form and character existed in preColonial Nigerian societies. For instance, each society put in place a democratic system for the selection or appointment of its leaders. In some societies, there were kingmakers whose responsibility was to ensure the appointment or selection of one person among the contestants. As it is in modern democracy, such an appointee would also enjoy popular support because those appointing him were also representatives of their various families/lineages clans quarters (Adugbo). The nature of the various Nigerian societies in terms of waves of immigration, patterns of settlement, size and shape of the societies made variations in their democracies inevitable. As noted in the introduction, the essence of colonialism is optimal exploitation of resources of the conquered territory .for the benefit of the metropolitan country. To achieve, this goal, the British decided to alter or modify the existing political as Well as economic institutions in a manner that sustained their hegemony in Nigeria up to the time of independence. Democracy as used in this chapter refers to a government that gives opportunities to individuals to partake effectively and sufficiently too in the management of the state (Nnoli: 1980). This type of Democracy is usually associated with equality, freedom, political participation and representation, popular consultation, popular franchise, majority rule etc. (Elazar: 1973, Oywasa: 2000), All these are necessary ingredients for sustainable democracy not only in Nigeria but anywhere in the world. INDEPENDENCE On October 1,1960, Nigeria attained independence. A parliamentary system of democracy was inaugurated. The three dominant political parties oegan to govern their respective regions (i.e. the Action Group (AG) in the West, the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) in the East and the Northern Peoples' Congress (NPC) in the North. The coalition of NPC and NCNC formed the federal government while the AG was the opposition party. The democracy was fragile and full of irreconcilable entities. The fragility coupled with the fact that the new political class and their cohorts were not well tutored in Western democracy, contributed largely to the breakdown of the First Republic in 1966. In actual fact, from October 1960 to January 1966, the preoccupation of the Nigerian ruling elite was how to control the economy and its big market. The struggle to achieve the control brought a general division in the ranks of the ruling elite. For instance, those in power referred to themselves as "we" and those in minority or opposition as "they" and their supporters were persecuted and vilified (Kirk-Greene: 1968). This was the political scenario at both federal and regional levels. That is, whether at federal or regional level, the political party that formed government also ensured that government patronage and positions went to people in the same party while those in other parties were marginalized or sidelined. There is no doubting the fact that 1962-1965 was a crisis period. It was a period characterized by election rigging, accusations and counter-accusations, census controversy, nepotism, the declaration of a state of emergency in the western region, the Tiv riots, secessionist bid in the riverine area, inter and intra-party crises, looting, arson, etc, all combined to cause breakdown of law and order. The political atmosphere was terribly charged that life and property were no longer safe". The political class instead of finding solution to these problems, so as to save the first modern Nigerian democratic government, it went ahead to increase the tempo of power struggle. To restore law and order, the military on January 15,1966 intervened in a military coup d'etat and this brought an inglorious end to the First Republic headed by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Kirk-Greene: 1968; Crowder: 1978). THE MILITARY IN NIGERIAN POLITICS (1966-1999) The way and manner the politicians handled the affairs of Nigeria as noted 186 187 The legislative as well as the executive arms of government, top bureaucrats and those in elected and appointive positions unwittingly engaged in open looting. A winner takes all attitudes became firmly entrenched in political style and pattern, making politics a do or die affair, and this provided opportunity for the military to end their recess in December, 1983. Indeed, the First and Second Republics crumbled because politicians and political parties appeared not to have learnt from the mistakes of the past. In particular, the Second Republic politicians portrayed themselves as new wine in old bottles. They used manipulation of ethnicity and religion to siphon national wealth. It will be recalled that their misdeed during the First Republic brought the military and subsequent civil war in 1967. In the same vein, the misdeed of the Second Republic brought the military again in December 1983. In other words, both First and Second Republics betrayed the hopes and aspirations of the people; hence joy greeted their termination by the military. The failure of the Second Republic to learn from the pitfalls of the First Republic brought prolonged military rule during which the military trained themselves somehow in the art of governance. For instance, General Ibrahim Babangida called himself President and not Military Head of State as done by his predecessors. In his own case, General Abacha having tasted power and realizing how sweet and good it was to be the custodian of power and money and coupled with his inordinate ambition decided to embark on self-succession. General Abdulsalami Abubakar came to power as military Head of State following the death of General Sanni Abacha on 8* June, 1998. Abdulsalami set up a Constitutional Debate Coordinating Committee (CDCC) under the chairmanship of Justice Niki Tobi. After about two months, the Committee concluded its work. The Provisional Ruling Council under Abdulasalami promulgated the work as the new constitution for the incoming civilian administration. It is clear that from 1966 to October 1979, the military dominated the political life of Nigeria and from October 1,1979 to December 30, 1983 the military went on recess but came back on December 31, 1983. They remained in power until May 29, 1999 when they put in place another democratic structure. PROBLEMS OFTHE NEW DEMOCRACY The present democracy came into being on May 29, 1999 when General Abdulsalam Abubakar handed over power to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who emerged the winner of the presidential election. History has clearly shown that one of the early problems the new government has to contend with is consolidation. Besides, the Obasanjo led government had the problem of legitimacy as other political parties, particularly the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) in alliance with a few interest groups, began to challenge the legitimacy of the new government. It is equally important to note that problems created by the long military rule which had bastardized the economy (poor management of human and material resources, over invoicing of contracts, wrong priority, wasteful spending, insincerity, personal aggrandizement) all combined to derail the radical and genuine social, political and economic transformation of the country. 188 189 Nigerians. Evidently, a few members of both the lower and middle classes have joined the upper class while members of the 'restored' middle class now have greater access to better nutrition, health, housing, communication, transportation and education. This is not to say that the Federal Government has done well enough but its ability to make available and affordable basic infrastructures through a redistribution of national wealth would certainly contribute to the entrenchment and sustainability of democracy in Nigeria. It is a known fact that Nigeria as it is today is a nations-state. Therefore, the integration of all the groups is a problem threatening democracy in Nigeria. In almost all the states of the federation, inter-group relations is a problem threatening the statestructure and by extension the survival of the country (democratic rule). Evidently, in Kogi. Benue, Niger, Taraba and Kaduna States to mention but a few. there appears group or ethnic loyalty as against state loyalty. In these states and others, there is apparent division along religion, geography, culture and tribe which has led to colossal loss in human life and property. More concretely, the Nigeria civil war. the recent Kano. Kaduna and Jos religious riots', Hausa- Yoruba clashes in Lagos and Shagamu, the Urhobo-ltshekiri clashes etc are examples of clashes occasioned as a result of lack of national integration. It is important to note that where there is no national integration, democratic rule cannot be sustained. WHAT TO DO The issue of what to do to sustain democracy in Nigeria becomes very relevant in view of the problems highlighted above. It is important to note that they are not just problems. They are problems capable of scuttling the present democracy. These problems have threatened and are still threatening the infant democracy. Here comes the crucial role of history. This is because, history brings to life the past in order to understand the present. In other words, history here affords us the opportunity to look back into past mistakes particularly the fall of the First and Second Republics as well as the mistakes committed between 1999 to date. Based on this historical knowledge, one would offer the following as a way forward if and only if this democracy is to survive in the country. First, all Nigerians at home and in diaspora must see and accept that the sustainability of this democracy is a task that must be done. The task of sustainability should not be left for the elected law makers alone. The civil society has a crucial role to play here. This is because the civil society (trade unions, the protest groups, social formations, religious groups etc.) is important as a bridge between the law makers' executive and the masses. To carry the civil society as well as the grassroot people along, government at all levels must formulate and execute programmes and policies that are people-oriented. Of course, government must empower the civil society to play their role, as their contribution to sustainable democracy cannot be over emphasized. Secondly, it is very important for politicians to keep alive the faith of the people and their aspirations. By so doing they would guarantee a fuller implementation of democratic values. The time has come for politicians to know that if the people of Nigeria are disillusioned as a result of violence, dishonesty. 190 191 new democracy should contain the use of ethnicism, intimidation, bribery and outright rigging of elections. Aggrieved individuals should seek redress in the court of law rather than taking law into their hands. This must be emphasized because as shown in the nation's political history by the end of 1965. The Nigerian populace had become completely disenchanted with the performance of the politicians. The crisis had degenerated into lawlessness which was largely fuelled by ethnic and regional suspicion and hostility. The need for the redistribution of the national cake has become imperative, This is in view of the fact that the democratic experience of the First and Second Republics did not produce the desired goals and expectations .of the Nigerian populace. It is, therefore, advocated that accountability and transparency in government would certainly contribute to sustainable democracy. In the same vein, government should provide favourable conditions of service for workers; create enabling environment for investments and investors who would create jobs. In other words, all collapsed infrastructures should be revived, internal as well as external debts must be redeemed, public sector services such as electricity, healthcare, education, communication, transportation etc should be made available and affordable. Also, a review of the constitution is necessary to resolve contending areas of conflict such as devolution of power; power rotation/shift, resource control, state/local government creation, and electoral reform. Indeed, the political class should be well tutored in the political history of the nation so that they would understand and be able to explain the present circumstance (Gwadabe: 1999). The political class should also be reminded that the military are waiting to cash in on any mistake as a pretext to organize a coup to put end to this democracy. This is why it should be emphasized that politicians should look at the present from the mirror of the past. The ruling party should not be inclined to use stale power for members only. The type of open looting or robbery of resources by the politicians in the past should be avoided to arrest disaffection. One other thing the PDF led Federal Government should do is to take the issue of security of life and property very seriously. If need be an overhauling of the entire security system of the nation can be done to avert unwarranted killings and assassinations of politicians. The scenario of attempting to make Nigeria a one party state should be looked into with utmost seriousness. When eventually, the constitution of the country is reviewed, copies should be made available and affordable and perhaps translated into many Nigerian languages. A situation in which lawmakers do not understand or have a copy of the Nigerian constitution is unacceptable. Again, history would remind the political class that corruption and open theft of public fund should no longer be an accepted norm (Usman:1985). Highhandedness, brutalization, election rigging and the partisan nature of the judiciary should be avoided. When all these are done, government would be in a position to operate a balanced budget that would guarantee available and affordable education, healthcare, transportation, communication, employment etc. The guaranteeing of these services is a guarantee of sustainable democracy. That is. sustainable democracy can be guaranteed only and when there is a close relationship between the rulers and the ruled. Government must integrate the various elements 192 193 194