Twenty Years of democratisation in Nigeria.

By Peter Akpah

Twenty years of democratisation in Nigeria, looking backward moving forward Twenty years of democracy in Nigeria is so exciting to know it is already twenty years of unbroken democractic rule n Nigeria, the journey to democratic rule has been tortuous one right from the incursion of the military into the political space in 1966, when the fragile democratic structures of the country were literally pulled down by the military, the journey for democracyand democratisation’s has been with sweat and blood, Dr John Kayode Fayemi stated this during his lecture at National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) kuru, jos south LGC of plateau state when he was addressing the executive course 41.

The Chairman Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi when Speaking on the topic, “Twenty years of Democratisation in Nigeria: Looking backward, moving forward, Dr. Fayemi maintained that, “Quite ironic was the fact that while Nigerian Leaders that fought for the independence of Nigeria did not have to die in the hands of the colonial authorities, many Nigerians were illegally incarcerated, maimed, dehumanised and killed by their own millitary before we could get democracy.

It could be recall and remember with the profound respect, the Supreme price they paid: Chief MKO Abiola and his wife Mrs Kudirat, PA Alfred Rewane, Bagauda Kaltho, among others who had pay with their Precious lives, what of the countless artisans, journalist, activist, politicians, civil society personalities, ordinary citizens who were jailed or got eliminated for demanding democracy, even countless others too were forced into exile, and yours truly was one of the many exiles who became persona non grada in their own country.

“I do not need to repeat without sounding horing, the fact that many notable pro-democracy personalities were murdeted in cold blood because of the fight for the instruction of democracy in Nigeria”.

He said the system deteriorated from all sectors of life including electoral management, manipulation of the press, multiple party system with bad legal system to manage the democratic system.

“The Supremacy of the law means that all persons and institutions governed by law are equally subjected to the law. More succinctly‚ it means that even agents of state are submissive to the dictates of the law, for, this is the only guarantee that people‘s right are protected from any dictatorial tendencies.

“It is the guarantee that private businesses owned by foreign nationals can be protected from severe adversity of diplomatic hostilities among nations. It also provides guarantee that ordinary citizens can have a place to ask for relief if their rights and privilege are trampled upon.

“One could confidently say that the rule of law has taken roots in Nigeria.We have seen many instances that the federal government have lost cases to states, individuals and institutions. In fact, there are many judgement debts hanging on the police and other security agencies as result of court pronouncements.

“We have seen courts reinstating people who got their appointments terminated under malicious circumstances. The courts have intervened in so many classical cases that have strengthened our constitutional jurisprudence on many matters that touched on the constitution, federalism, resource distribution and many others.

“As a governor in Ekiti, I have got many unfavourable judgments from the state high courts; although some see this as strange in the states but this is a common experience in Ekiti. We can only wish for the better, there is no doubt that the rule ot law and the protection of human right is getting rooted in the Democratic practice ot Nigeria and this is without prejudice with the fact that we still have concerns about the integrity of some of the juries and the quality of their ptonouncements. But these are exceptions than the norms.

“Before coming to the political space, my first forth was in the civill society oxganisation. I cofounded the Centre for Democracy and Development (COD) which was dedicated to the promotion of democratic ideas, good government and the democratisation of the country. I have been involved in many ptogrammes aimed at engendering democratic practice after the long years of military mindset to pubkic governance.

“It is therefore comforting to witness that Nigeria has very vibrant civil society organisations that have been in the vanguard of policy, advocay, public engagements m and capacity development programmes. They have also served as a formidable bastion of policy analysis and public enlightenment.

“In oome cases, they have mobilised the public in resisting what they considered as & threat to public interest through protests‚ litigation and advocacy.

“While we can pat ourselves at the back for the modest successes we have achieved, we do not need to be told that the job remains unfinished. I have indicated before, there is no ready-made democracy, every democratic nation continues to improve on how to be better in serving the greater number of the people.

Social and human capital investment, one of the strategy to bridge the frightening gap between those at the bottom of economic ladder and those on the cliff of the pyramid would be to adopt some social investment measures that take care of the poorest of the poor.

This is what we have done Ekiti with some noticeable success, and you will recall that my first tenure as governor one of my signature programmes was the social security allowance paid to the very vulnerable aged people in the state, we also did a lot of youth focused social investment programmes that put them on stipends while also keeping them busy in public works and services, and also free education policy in public primary and secondary schools in the state and free health care for children, pregnant women and aged people, some of this ideas are now being adopted nationally by the Federal government and some development agencies because of the success in Ekiti.

“However, I should like to highlight some areas that urgently needs radical improvement for us to further deepen our democratic culture, this is because until our democratisation process becomes an everyday culture, it would continue to be met with a dissonant disposition among the people generally.

“Essentially‚ Nigeria is still a traditional society where some elements of feudal, monarchical and theocratic practice deeply influence the values and social relations among her peoples, this has made the concept of citizenship a lot difficult to fully have its meaning.

“This has unfortunately, ultimately done an incalculable dent on our democratisation process and in fact, fed most of what are known as communal and ethnic conflicts in the country. Our democratic culture is still waved around primordial clannish boundaries such that people can only contest election in a place called their “state of origin”.

“Nigerians must boldly interrogate the definition of a people as “non indigene” settlers or even strangers in a country they call their own!

The DG National Institute of policy and strategic studies (NIPSS) Prof Habu Galadima thank the governor despite his schedules still find time to grass the occasion and deliver the lecture, and also stated that the have achieved so much and learn a lot from the lecture delivered by his excellency Dr John Kayode Fayemi, and very inspirational and educating and an eye opener for them to understand democracy and 20 years of democratisation in Nigeria

In an interview with the members of course 41 the monitor general Brig Gen Mahamadu Umaru Mangai, in his reaction said the lecture was quite interesting and inspiring and have open their eyes to see how to move this country forward and give back to the society what the learnt her, and similarly Gwantau Habila a permanent secretary with plateau state government who is among the course 41 member said the lecture has creat and also given them the opportunity to work hard and to move this nation forward, in times of governance, to bring about purposeful development and creat an investment free environment for all to enjoy and plateau being home of peace and tourism he will bring his experience and what he leant here to move plateau forward and together with his excellency Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong rescue mission plateau state will bounce again to her glory , and also give back to the society with the learn, col sani sulemann chairman study group 6 in his reaction acknowledge the fact that the need to door more to give back to the society and move Nigeria forward and a country free of any rancour, and also work to stop the insecurities being faced by the country and bring lasting solution.

“Democracy make more meaning when citizen has the same rights and privileges no matter where they live it settle.”