Copyright (C) 2009. General Studies Division.
First Published: 2009
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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