DEMOCRACY IN TURMOIL

                       By-Adejide

April 18, 2024

Democracy in Turmoil

Democracy is widely practiced all over the world. United States of America remains a template for democratic African countries. America flourishes under democracy with so much success to admire but in West Africa Nigeria, expectation has never been the same.

Nigeria transited from dictatorship (military rule) to democracy after series of coup killings. In 1998 a democratic president, General Olusegun Obasanjo was elected with high expectation. He was able to suppress political chaos and tensions at the time. He also paid debs and liabilities of the nation leaving some fund in national treasure.

Olusegun Obasanjo Former President of Nigeria 1999 -2007

Umaru Musa Yar’Adua GCFR  served as the president of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010

Things were looking promising under him before his successor Musa Yaradua lived too short to proceed. Insecurity became the major challenge of Goodluck Jonathan to drive the economy forward and he peacefully handed the mantle to Muhammad Buhari through election.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Former President of Nigeria 2010 -2015

He introduced the idea of border closure to implement indigenization which eventually boom-ranged due to lack of proper scheme to support the policy. Economists regarded it has backward steps and a total failure. There were no local products to match demands and prices soar high through scarcity. Corruption was having free stroll in the park among top officials and we could barely point to any developmental success during his reign.

After the eight years of Buhari, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected as a new president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. One key promise he made is to make Port Harcourt refinery work before the end of 2023 but yet to function. Immediate floating of the naira and removal of the oil subsidy didn’t help matters as the economy went from bad to worse. Evaluation doesn’t look nice since the beginning of fourth republic. Every sector is seriously suffering from nepotism and maladministration. Politicians walk into office freely and convert public funds to private account with no prosecution. Where do Nigeria go from here?

Bola Ahmed Tinubu current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Conclusively, Nigeria is now at a confused juncture as many Nigerians lose hope for a better Nigeria. Some sing the phrase of restructuring, others call for adoption of federalism, and a certain quarter stand on secession as life security is at threat. It is now clear to everyone there is no proper structure on ground to make democracy succeed, hence the continuous failure.

As democracy is combated with complicated challenges, suggest the way forward for Nigeria as a nation.

Do not hesitate to email your comment and contact us below;

About Author