Politics
Prof Jega Slams Politicians Over Dividends Of Democracy
Wretched governance has been fingered as the main reason for the paucity of dividends of democracy for the citizenry since the advent of the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria in 1999.
A former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega made the assertion in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Monday.
His stand was expressed in a paper he presented at the retreat put together by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
Prof Jega decried that though Nigeria could boast of many parading themselves as leaders, but good leaders still remained in short supply in the country.
The paucity of good leaders is compounded by the near absence of strong institutions that would help the citizens who invest so much optimism in democracy to reap handsomely therefrom, he noted.
He said, “Nigeria has been on a trajectory of liberal democratic development continuously for 23 years, since 1999 when the military returned to the barracks.
“While every four years we have routinely elected representatives into the legislative and executive arms of government, there is consensus that these elements of liberal democratic development have not yet translated into substantive socioeconomic development that satisfies the needs and aspirations of the overwhelming majority of citizens.
“For the past 23 years, the country has been under democratic rule, but the so-called dividends of democracy have not yet been desirable for the majority of Nigerian Citizens.
“Unfortunately, there has been bad leadership, not that there are no good leaders in the country but they are in short supply while the Democratic institutions are also weak.
“In general, leadership at all tiers of the Nigerian federation has not been good; it has been essentially bad and undemocratic; characterized by bad, rather than good, democratic governance.
“Many national organizations and institutions have been afflicted/affected by this tendency towards bad governance.
“The basic things we require in good governance are good leaders that can be transformational and transitional if we are to achieve good dividends of democracy.”
The political scientist who made his mark at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK) made bared his mind in his paper titled: “Importance of Personal Leadership Competencies in an Organization in Transition”.
He maintained that key qualities of leadership in a democratic context stated that the country required a leader with good representation, responsible and responsiveness, integrity and honesty adding that such a leader must have cognate experience and competence, in addition to understanding democratic governance.
He must be a leader who can inspire and motivate the followership, the professor asserted.
“We also need institutions that can inspire good governance”, the former INEC chairman said.
On his part, Director General, NILDS, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman said that Nigeria cannot afford to fail its citizenry in its over two decades of democratic evolution.
He asserted that the pessimism expressed by Western apologists about the survival of democracy in Nigeria should serve as a motivation to consolidate on the gains recorded, instead of setting the country backwards.
It is not all gloom, though, as Prof Sulaiman, a former Minister of Planning, pointed out that with 23 years of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria has already proven her critics, most of whom are of the Western world, wrong.
He noted that democracy is not akin to the Western world but customized and domiciled according to people’s environment, pointing out that Nigeria has its own brand of democratic system.
Prof Sulaiman admitted the attendant shortcomings of the Nigeria’s democracy but insisted that they are not sufficient to belittle her democracy.
“Divergent opinions and views are allowed in any clime. And for the so-called apologists of democracy worldwide who believe that Nigeria cannot survive with its democracy, we don’t need to look outside, we don’t need to entertain fear because we can’t afford to fail our people.
“We have started democracy in almost 24 years now. When we first started, people never thought we would get to where we are now. For some people to have this kind of phobia, and pessimism and say Nigeria cannot survive, be it in the area of security, or political system, it is for us as a people to put that one behind us and see that, perhaps as something that could ginger us to move forward. That we have done in the last 24 years.
“We are not perfect as a democracy, we have our shortcomings and inadequacies here and there, but those things are not substantial enough for anybody to condemn the country as a democracy.
“I think we have done so much and I hope with the new government and with our democratic credentials, we stand a chance to do better, going forward.
“I’m not disturbed by the pessimism of the apologists of the Western world. Democracy is not akin to the Western world. It is customized and domiciled in your own environment. So, we have our own brand of democracy. To the best of my knowledge, I think we have been able to do it. We have done so much and we can still do so much”, the NILDS boss said.
Biztellers reports that the retreat was put together to afford the management staff of the institute ample opportunity to key into the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“We at NILDS must therefore understand the nature of the fundamental changes and be in a good position to provide the necessary support to the National Assembly and other democratic institutions in line with our statutory role,” Prof Sulaiman added.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on opposition political parties, accusing them of deceiving Nigerians and failing to live up to the democratic standards they claim to represent.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike said recent controversies surrounding the primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have exposed what he described as the hypocrisy and lack of credibility within the opposition camp.
SEE ALSO: ‘PDP Can’t Unseat Tinubu with Wike in Charge’ — Ulasi Blows Hot, Threatens Exit
According to the former Rivers State governor, parties that have consistently presented themselves as the “new face of democracy” and a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are now grappling with the same internal crises they often criticize in other political parties.
“You can’t fool Nigerians anymore,” Wike declared, insisting that the opposition’s claims of being different from the established political parties have been undermined by disputes and protests that trailed their internal elections.
He questioned the ability of the parties to provide effective leadership if they could not successfully conduct transparent and peaceful primaries.
Wike specifically pointed to complaints raised by some presidential aspirants during the parties’ congresses, arguing that the allegations of irregularities and unfair practices showed that the opposition was not immune to the political shortcomings it frequently condemns.
The FCT minister said Nigerians are increasingly becoming aware of what he called inconsistencies in the opposition’s messaging, stressing that parties cannot market themselves as political “messiahs” while struggling with internal democratic processes.
He further argued that the developments reinforce the relevance of older political parties that have spent years navigating Nigeria’s political landscape.
While noting that both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC have faced criticism in the past, Wike maintained that experience remains an important factor in sustaining democratic institutions and managing political competition.
The minister’s remarks come amid heightened political activities and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties seeking to position themselves as strong contenders against the ruling APC.
A fresh twist has emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, as a faction of the party has rejected the camp backing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and instead unveiled businessman and academic, Prof. Chris Uba, as its presidential candidate.
The development comes days after another wing of the party reportedly produced Atiku as its presidential flagbearer following a nationwide primary election, deepening the leadership and candidate dispute within the ADC.
SEE ALSO: Atiku Floors Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen to Clinch ADC 2027 Presidential Ticket
Speaking during the formal presentation of candidates in Abuja on Sunday, the faction’s National Chairman, Bala Gombe, said the presidential ticket was zoned to Southern Nigeria in line with the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness, and federal character.
According to Gombe, three aspirants initially purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the presidential ticket.
They included Dr. Bashir Sani, Prince Williams Charles, and Prof. Chris Uba.
He explained that the party adopted the consensus option provided under the Electoral Act, leading to the emergence of Uba as the sole presidential candidate after the withdrawal of the other aspirants.
Gombe stated that the decision was taken in the interest of party unity and in compliance with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, which recognize consensus as a lawful method of candidate selection.
He further announced the unveiling of 29 governorship candidates across the six geopolitical zones, saying they emerged through the party’s internal democratic processes.
Among those presented were Muhammad Usman Shuwa (Adamawa), Idris Adamu Yanoko (Kano), Shamsudin Muhammad (Kaduna), Ibrahim Al-Ameen Gumi (Zamfara), Babagana Mala (Borno), Musliu Babadele (Lagos), Rukayya Salami (Osun), Gbenga Gbenga (Oyo), Gada Suswan (Benue), Dijatu Abdul Salam (Nasarawa), and Christopher Benjo (Delta), among others.
The faction maintained that it had successfully concluded its governorship, National Assembly, and State House of Assembly primaries nationwide in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the party’s electoral guidelines.
The latest development signals growing internal divisions within the ADC as political parties intensify preparations, coalition talks, and strategic realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Founded in 2005, the ADC has continued to position itself as an alternative political platform while seeking to strengthen its structures and expand its influence across Nigeria.
Former Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The announcement was made by the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in a statement released on Friday.
Kwankwaso also confirmed that former Kano deputy governor, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, would contest for the Kano Central Senatorial seat under the platform of the NDC.
SEE ALSO: Kano Gov Orders Appointees to Resign Before March 31 Ahead of Elections
According to him, the decision followed wide consultations within the party and was guided by the principles of equity, fairness, loyalty, and competence.
“I am delighted to announce that His Excellency, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has been selected as our Kano NDC gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming elections,” Kwankwaso said.
He added that the party remained committed to unity and progress as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.
Kwankwaso also expressed optimism about the party’s chances in the elections while praying for a peaceful and successful affirmation process.
Gwarzo, a close ally of Kwankwaso, previously served as Deputy Governor under Governor Abba Yusuf before resigning following Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress.
Before his tenure as deputy governor, Gwarzo served as Commissioner for State Affairs during Kwankwaso’s administration and also held office as Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Gawuna served as Deputy Governor under former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election before recently aligning with the NDC.
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