10 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria

May 29, 2007, Nigeria returned to democratic rule after over two decades of military dictatorship in our political history.

Against the backdrop of staccato political history, May 29, 2009, Nigerians are justified to roll out the drums and celebrate 10 years of uninterrupted democracy and success in transiting from one democratic governance to another.

It is heart-warming and satisfying to know that the democratic journey which kick-started with the activities and struggles of courageous Nigerians in the civil society, the media and the risks that members of the G.8 (later G.28) took in speaking out and staking their necks when it was very dangerous to do has yielded dividend and gone this far.

As the years go by, Nigeria is expected to grow and mature in her democratic experiment. Nigerians look up to when it can pride itself with over a hundred years behind it like the US and some countries of Europe.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) uses this opportunity to congratulate all Nigerians on this auspicious occasion. We specially remember and give kudos to those who struggled for the democracy which we enjoy today. We also salute the courage of those who laid down their lives in the struggle, those who spoke up; stake their necks when it was dangerous to do so and those who contributed in one way or the other from the trenches, detentions, exiles etc, we salute your courage, resilience and perseverance. It has earned us this 10-years walk in freedom and self-determination.

However, as we pop the champagnes and ignite the fireworks in jubilation, here are some foods for thought. In the first eight years of this democracy we were said to be in a learning process, could 10 years also be said to be engaged in learning? Maturity, however, is not all about number of years, even as it is the most common yardstick. When we look back the 10 years, can we really beat our chests and be proud of the 10 years spent? Could we say our experiences, expectations and the physical/mental development in these 10 years justify it or is worth rolling out the drums?

As a CSO which is engaged in legislative advocacy, can we say that the legislatures produced in these 10 years are the institutions we can be proud of as the bastion of democracy? Can we say the institution has matured enough to hold the government accountable to the people? Your answers are as good as ours.

Inspite of all these challenges, CISLAC as a CSO which has taken the front burner in our democratisation process, we make bold to reiterate and emphasise that the worst democracy is better than even a benevolent military rule or dictatorship, so we have no option, other than push forward with democratic advancement, inspite of the obvious challenges, hoping that as we walk along we will fine-tune into acceptable standards.

As we assess our 10 years of democratic governance, we also hear pundits and critics say that the legislature or the parliament is too expensive, and that it could be de-emphasised in our polity. Where then is democracy without the parliament? Yes, it is expensive, but like the saying goes, “if education is expensive, try ignorance”. It is a question off pound foolish, penny wise. The legislature is the hallmark of democracy, as we mature along, we can only make our legislature better and cost effective.

As We Celebrate…
There is no doubt that democracy has brought things to cherish. The gains of democracy are here with us, but we feel it could either be better or that there are areas we need fine-tuning to make our democracy better and mature into internationally accepted standards.

The issue of electoral reform stares every Nigerian in the face. Democracy can only be real if the representatives of the people and government generally derive their mandate from the people, which in this case is through the ballot box. The transparency of the process, which produces political leaders, is not negotiable. This brings us to the Justice Mohammed Uwais Panel Report. CISLAC urges the government and members of the National Assembly to accept the Uwais report, especially the area dealing with the leadership of INEC. The chief umpire must be trusted for the system to be credible. We urge Mr. President bury ego and listen to CSOs and Labour in this regard.

Corruption in High Places:
As we celebrate 10 yeas of democratic governance, it is pertinent to draw our attention to allegations of corruption in high places.

CISLAC, only recently, compiled a compendium of some corrupt activities in the National Assembly from 1999 to date. What we have put down are only those that were made public, it is a tip of the iceberg, we all know that.

Nigerians expect their representatives, that is members of the National Assembly to protect them, that is why they get disappointed when they hear of these scandals involving NASS members.

From our findings, the corrupt activities taking place in the Executive arm of government is colossal. That of NASS is a child’s play when compared with the corruption in the Executive arm. The MDAs are known to be the official promoters of corruption. Here, corruption walks on two legs in broad day light. Even highly placed government officials demand for bribe and are shielded by the Official Secret Act. Most of the corruption that take place in the Legislative arm are only made possible and facilitated by the Executive arm.

The above links to poor budget implementation. It is in the MDAs that budgetary funds are kept behind only to be shared after the fiscal year, since budget overlap was banned. In some cases, contractors are known to connive with the ministries in charge to do a shoddy job and share the left over or out-rightly share the money without execution of the contracts. These are prevalent in roads, water and electricity contracts. It could be better, if the Ministry of Works and the Due Process Office become born again and rebrand themselves. In these 10 years, Nigeria would have been truly “great” for her “good people”. It is only though connivance that poor budget implementation takes place, like we saw in the Ministry of Health N5.5m scandal involving Senator Iyabo Obasanjo Bello and the Ministers and co-oversight functions of the legislature has become an extortion tool.

Popular Participation:
When we talk of democracy, we cannot do without the participation of the people whom the fulcrum of democracy rests. In the past 10 years, with a skewed electoral system, how open has been the government to the people, and to what extent has it allowed participation in governance by the citizenry. Though, some will say, fantastic, giving the military background and the fact that interest groups attend Public Hearings before some Acts are passed. CISLAC is of the opinion that it could be better. It is on this note that we call on the NASS to without delay pass the FOI Bill to allow to transparency and accountability in government. Just like we expect that with the passage of the Justice Uwais Report into law, the Nigerian people can now truly choose their leaders as their votes will henceforth count. This is against the background of the brigandage and violent rigging that characterised the polity in the past.

Power/Energy:
The bane of our democratic growth is the slow economic growth. The growth of our economy is hinged on power/energy. President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua promised to declare a state of emergency on the sector. Two years into his tenure, Nigerians are still waiting, and yet to understand his pussy-footing attitude in that sector.

Poverty:
Poverty eradication/reduction and industrialisation are directly connected to the state of power. As our industries are closing down, rather than getting better. Democracy could not be said to be thriving in an ailing economy with impoverished people. Even starting small scale business have been made unprofitable by lack of power supply and the present fuel scarcity to even power the small generators called “Chinese’ toys”. If the truth must be told, in the past ten years, poverty has been accelerated, even as Nigeria earned more from crude oil.

Economy:
Another major area the authorities must look into is the area of diversification of the economy. Nigeria depends almost wholly on crude oil exportation for her economy. It is a well known fact that the world is looking away from oil. In the first eight years of this democracy, earnings from oil soared. The nation is yet to see where these earnings are invested into, just as it is yet to experience any major step towards diversification. The Niger Delta crisis is a signal that we cannot for too long depend on this commodity as the only foreign exchange earner, yet, we are yet to see a major policy shift.

The 1999 Constitution is said to be a hurried document by the military who were strife weary and retreating in haste to the barracks. In our 10-years experience, we have not been able to give to ourselves our own grand norm or even amend the bad document to meet our taste.

The recent experience between the House of Representatives and the Senate is a digression. The real issues are buried. In 10 years, our political actors should have matured enough to act in national interest.

Conclusion:
There has been general lack of accountability and gross mismanagement in the polity. Democracy will fare better if these lose areas are straightened out. Mr. President must not fear, but declare the promised emergency. Forget the party interest and adopt national interest on the issue of electoral reform and stop lip service to the fight against corruption. On the other hand, the legislature must wake up and hold the executive accountable to the people, do proper oversight of the MDAs or the experience of these 10 years will be the same in 20 years time

The states and local governments are not left out. If in the grassroots, real democracy dividends have been truly delivered in 10 years, Nigerians would have celebrated better.