This article is written with facts in mind and also based on actual situations on ground. It is benchmarked against other equally emerging democratic states as opposed to strong democracies like USA and UK to eliminate possible bias that might results from such comparison. Here objectivity trumps subjectivity as reality is accurately reflected upon given field engagement of real time issues.
The gap between those who govern and the governed is widening and remains a huge concern if we were to achieve any democratic gains we anticipate or hope for. The recently released Mo Ibrahim index reports says that, there is a backward slide in African governance which indicates an ascendency in autocratic rule as opposed to democratic principles (Mo Ibrahim Foundation 2018). According to Cheeseman and Smith (2018:2) “African political trajectory is moving in the opposite direction”. This so much summaries what is actually the state of affairs in most African states and particularly on the subject matter which is the focus of this article. The big question that this article hopes to address are; what could be the cause for such democratic slide and how can we all be part of the solution?
This article hopes to explore possible causes and a probable way to counteract such negative outcome.
Firstly, Complaisance vis a vis activism in citizens. These two offers parallel view on human behavior. Complaisance equals pleasing at a cost to the followers.It equally entails going out of ones way to do the bidding of others and most often it goes against ones conviction which leads to indirect support of corrupt activity within the palace of power, simply because by tolerating we share in the criminal action because of our inaction. We can identify three set of individuals based on choice of responsibility. The first are those who play a part in keeping or maintaining what is there. The second are those people who do nothing about what is there and lastly, those who change what is there in this case what is good.
Firstly, Complaisance vis a vis activism in citizens. These two offers parallel view on human behavior. Complaisance equals pleasing at a cost to the followers.It equally entails going out of ones way to do the bidding of others and most often it goes against ones conviction which leads to indirect support of corrupt activity within the palace of power, simply because by tolerating we share in the criminal action because of our inaction. We can identify three set of individuals based on choice of responsibility. The first are those who play a part in keeping or maintaining what is there. The second are those people who do nothing about what is there and lastly, those who change what is there in this case what is good.
Activism implies doing something to change what is there in this case social change.We can choose to be complaisant by either sitting doing nothing or through supporting what is already there, the ultimate choice is yours to make.
Complaisance inadvertently allows for third party participation in the act of crime and this goes without saying “he who elects a corrupt politician is complicit of the crime they commit”. Whilst activism viewed from within these two dimensions ‘repertoires and agencies’ aims to organize society for political expressions to counteract anti progressive activities that set society backward.
These two are diametrically opposed and doesn’t presents a Hobson choice. For the society, a complaisant citizenry ends up bearing the cost of ineptitude given their acceptance as tacit support for their political activity which poses no challenge to their activities as opposed to activist citizenry who seek the best through expression of their choices-actively or pro-actively through social change. So for those at the corridors of power suppression of these rights are essential since those actions cost them greatly in achieving their political desires. These outright challenge remain central in the configuration within institutions of state power and gaging those who dare oppose them is a political strategy an autocrat seeks.
These two are diametrically opposed and doesn’t presents a Hobson choice. For the society, a complaisant citizenry ends up bearing the cost of ineptitude given their acceptance as tacit support for their political activity which poses no challenge to their activities as opposed to activist citizenry who seek the best through expression of their choices-actively or pro-actively through social change. So for those at the corridors of power suppression of these rights are essential since those actions cost them greatly in achieving their political desires. These outright challenge remain central in the configuration within institutions of state power and gaging those who dare oppose them is a political strategy an autocrat seeks.
When an individual expresses despondency in expression of these rights, like “what can we/I do?” It encourages opportunism on the part of corrupt politicians whom sensing victims blood given the weakness within the system coupled with lack of accountability goes on the onslaught for outright benefits derived from such institutional failure.
This question and corresponding responses from citizens reflects a high level of low moral in the political system within the state-despondency, that endures within the society and this can only reproduce diabolical responses -total breakdown of law and order as is the case in most states within Nigeria. Given the above, the condition has created laws being flouted for the personal benefit for only a few. The question; Why does a politicians get away with murder? These responses gathered indicates the level of apathy expressed by and their eventual involvement in decision making process within the state- survival remains the ultimate goal for people’s coexistence-constant exploitative tendencies arising from total system failure. Each one fears for their lives and such fear becomes each ones archils hill, a single determinant for survival.
This question and corresponding responses from citizens reflects a high level of low moral in the political system within the state-despondency, that endures within the society and this can only reproduce diabolical responses -total breakdown of law and order as is the case in most states within Nigeria. Given the above, the condition has created laws being flouted for the personal benefit for only a few. The question; Why does a politicians get away with murder? These responses gathered indicates the level of apathy expressed by and their eventual involvement in decision making process within the state- survival remains the ultimate goal for people’s coexistence-constant exploitative tendencies arising from total system failure. Each one fears for their lives and such fear becomes each ones archils hill, a single determinant for survival.
The facts that the masses are denied good roads,hospitals without constant electricity at trauma units for patients, functioning security that does not intimidate nor extort money from them, whilst politicians live large on the masses sweat makes the leaders no better than muderers because their actions equal or are even worse to those who kill.
Secondly, Politics of the Ex’s, this equate to return of ex military personnel to the corridors of power as champions of democracy. The politics of the ex’s is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. With the dawn of democracy and the renunciation of military rule there exist new dawn of Ex’s. It simply means there are great drivers motivating some ex military to continued political activity one of such was to protect their accumulated wealth and this in itself hinder any chance for possible progress in these society with respect to attaining potential goods accruing from democratic rules. The return of these ex’s to officials governance or corridors of power in most cases tells a tale in lost fortune as many analysts would suggest. Since the new democratic dawn, Nigeria has actually not been spared of such ex military involvement and have as a result of this experience just one civilian government with no military link in the combined tenure of Musa Yar’Adua and Ebere Goodluck Jonathan. There are countries we can draw similar experiences with in which military play vital role in deciding how the country is governed like Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, Myanmar and recently Zimbabwe. These countries are look alike democratic states but deeper analysis suggests or indicates continued military shadow hanging over politics.The military are so powerful that they are unlikely to exclude themselves from the running of the state. The recent decision to chose sides in Venezuela shows a military that is truly partisan and can’t be said to be neutral. Much as the value of the military in maintaining countries stability should be applauded and should not be underestimated yet their presence in the political sphere remains a troubling factor to democratic sustainability to say the lest within emerging democracies.
Secondly, Politics of the Ex’s, this equate to return of ex military personnel to the corridors of power as champions of democracy. The politics of the ex’s is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. With the dawn of democracy and the renunciation of military rule there exist new dawn of Ex’s. It simply means there are great drivers motivating some ex military to continued political activity one of such was to protect their accumulated wealth and this in itself hinder any chance for possible progress in these society with respect to attaining potential goods accruing from democratic rules. The return of these ex’s to officials governance or corridors of power in most cases tells a tale in lost fortune as many analysts would suggest. Since the new democratic dawn, Nigeria has actually not been spared of such ex military involvement and have as a result of this experience just one civilian government with no military link in the combined tenure of Musa Yar’Adua and Ebere Goodluck Jonathan. There are countries we can draw similar experiences with in which military play vital role in deciding how the country is governed like Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, Myanmar and recently Zimbabwe. These countries are look alike democratic states but deeper analysis suggests or indicates continued military shadow hanging over politics.The military are so powerful that they are unlikely to exclude themselves from the running of the state. The recent decision to chose sides in Venezuela shows a military that is truly partisan and can’t be said to be neutral. Much as the value of the military in maintaining countries stability should be applauded and should not be underestimated yet their presence in the political sphere remains a troubling factor to democratic sustainability to say the lest within emerging democracies.
The military controls a huge power in any given country but such control should always be aligned with the ultimate goal of nothing other than security from external aggressors. This could be made possible through reemphasizing civilian control in all military doctrine an example we can draw from countries like South Africa or Botswana to permanently instill and install democratic rules thereby eliminating fears that arises from possible military adventure. The unstabstantiated believe on messianic role of military has long been debunked as the Nigerian experience has proven and should be reasons enough to keep them not close to the corridors of power. It is important to reflect reality to the dangers that continued presence of Ex military who have hanged their uniforms to the comfort of power poses by their return to the development of strong democracy. It is important to emphasis that this article does not recommend recusal of Ex military but that given the length of time of their political activity in state like Nigeria building or cultivating strong democracy would always remain a huge challenge given the amount of power they have known to wield.
Thirdly, intersection between religion and politics. The combination of the above roams large and is without saying a magnified factor in states like Nigeria with various belief system that has significantly placed itself and hard to displace. The blind spot that exist between these two-politics and religion, remain very important and huge concern to country like Nigeria with other states with similar situation. For places where it is not properly managed it results into divisive politics as can be situated to Nigeria. Religion and politics cuts across the inner consciousness of every human being but maintaining balance between the two is very vital in the development and stability of any given states. At the heart of the vicious ethnic killings in Myanmar on the Rohingya according to Albert and Chatzky (www.cfr.org.2018) is religion alongside politics. Although Nigeria is not at war but the two factors continued to play a role in governance and can not be separated from issues that continue to plagued the country as a whole. The high level of intolerance given consciousness around nationalism with exploitative political settings gives room to people’s vulnerability within the political grouping as everyone is posed to take advantage to serves their interest.The role that politics and religion play is not one that we should turn a blind eye to given the Nigerian situation. And it plays into critical decision making processes-a selection of key role players in the body politics in decision making process within of the country,a factor that has not arguably gone well in Nigeria.
Thirdly, intersection between religion and politics. The combination of the above roams large and is without saying a magnified factor in states like Nigeria with various belief system that has significantly placed itself and hard to displace. The blind spot that exist between these two-politics and religion, remain very important and huge concern to country like Nigeria with other states with similar situation. For places where it is not properly managed it results into divisive politics as can be situated to Nigeria. Religion and politics cuts across the inner consciousness of every human being but maintaining balance between the two is very vital in the development and stability of any given states. At the heart of the vicious ethnic killings in Myanmar on the Rohingya according to Albert and Chatzky (www.cfr.org.2018) is religion alongside politics. Although Nigeria is not at war but the two factors continued to play a role in governance and can not be separated from issues that continue to plagued the country as a whole. The high level of intolerance given consciousness around nationalism with exploitative political settings gives room to people’s vulnerability within the political grouping as everyone is posed to take advantage to serves their interest.The role that politics and religion play is not one that we should turn a blind eye to given the Nigerian situation. And it plays into critical decision making processes-a selection of key role players in the body politics in decision making process within of the country,a factor that has not arguably gone well in Nigeria.
The other question at the heart of this article is how can we manage the situation so much so that it is curtailed and never remains a setback in sustainable democracy within Nigeria given the high propensity of corruption that affects all and sundry. The Nigeria situation as an emerging democracy is important to the continent drive for good governance, accountability and human rights. How can we achieve that given the current despondency and possible decay in our political life, a situation in which majority are outside the political establishment and only a few as 1% make decision for the rest? The unsustainable nature of the current situation requires all and sundry to re-evaluate the present to arrest the future. We can do this by not being apolitical to matters of accountability and good governance. We must seek change and demand it given the enormous power we wield in the voters registration card to which we can have a say on who represents us. We need to take back power from the corrupt and insist on making sure the constitution works for us.
What can we do?
To the many problems that hinders the sprouting of democratic values and the few mentioned above, one thing needs to be done and that is empowering the judiciary arms of government to be ever stronger, independent and impartial to perform their duty as ascribed by the constitution. This ensures that accountability can read as a rule book to which violators can be held to. An empowered judiciary under the constitutional democratic framework allows the judges to play fair without fear nor favor. In this way the masses can and would obtain justice from governmental actions that those who lead commit under the illusion of being powerful. The judges are crucial in making democracy illuminate the espouse virtue the people desire of. Through this way people can live without fear of being muscled out by thugs whom those meant to lead surrounds themselves with.
What can we do?
To the many problems that hinders the sprouting of democratic values and the few mentioned above, one thing needs to be done and that is empowering the judiciary arms of government to be ever stronger, independent and impartial to perform their duty as ascribed by the constitution. This ensures that accountability can read as a rule book to which violators can be held to. An empowered judiciary under the constitutional democratic framework allows the judges to play fair without fear nor favor. In this way the masses can and would obtain justice from governmental actions that those who lead commit under the illusion of being powerful. The judges are crucial in making democracy illuminate the espouse virtue the people desire of. Through this way people can live without fear of being muscled out by thugs whom those meant to lead surrounds themselves with.
The principles of constitutional democracy should be cherished by all and sundry making it possible for both politicians and their fellowship to sign up to accountability. The recent action in South Africa whereby the leadership of ANC has to recall their president is an indication of internal accountability in view of public outcry to total disregard to primary function of governance.
Until such a time that corrupt politicians are treated like mass killers and are meant to wear right prison uniform for their acts with no prospect of abandoning the comfort of their prison rooms under presidential pardon, our democracy would continue to tither, remaining a shambles in the eye of the masses whom are yet to see the benefits of democracy playing victims to less than 1% political elite who have shared power amongst themselves in a country of over two hundred million with huge well educated population.
Until such a time that corrupt politicians are treated like mass killers and are meant to wear right prison uniform for their acts with no prospect of abandoning the comfort of their prison rooms under presidential pardon, our democracy would continue to tither, remaining a shambles in the eye of the masses whom are yet to see the benefits of democracy playing victims to less than 1% political elite who have shared power amongst themselves in a country of over two hundred million with huge well educated population.
Conclusion
Should we resign to the biblical saying ‘To your tents oh Israel? I don’t think so. Make your mark this voting season and vote with a purpose at heart.
