Democratic benefits not evenly distributed, political scientists declare
Nigerian political scientists have lamented that, despite the nation’s return to democratic rule 26 years ago, the benefits of democracy have not been distributed evenly.
According to the Chairman of Nigeria Political Scientists Association (NPSA), Prof Hassan Saliu, the nation’s democratic journey has been fraught with challenges.
Saliu, in a statement in Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday, said: “As Nigeria marks 26 years of its Fourth Republic, which commenced in May 1999, it is evident that the country’s democratic journey has been fraught with challenges despite efforts by successive governments to improve the lives of Nigerians through various policy initiatives.
“The reality on the ground suggests that the benefits of democracy have not been evenly distributed,” Saliu declared.
Saliu, a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, listed military hangovers, self-serving interests, poor policy implementation, over-reliance on neo-liberal economic principles, politics as a business, lack of progressive ideologies, quick fixes and divisiveness as issues hindering effective democratic governance in the country.
He tied the aforementioned issues to credibility concerns in elections, undemocratic political parties, party cross-carpeting and dominance by a single party.
He identified other challenges as: “Budget padding, erosion of the middle class, poverty and unemployment, debt accumulation, stress in democratic practice and investments in non-impactful projects, promotion of primordial sentiments, rancorous politics, subservient legislature and loss of independence of action.
“Given these challenges, the NPSA is concerned about the state of democracy in the country. We note that democracy has largely served the interests of the ruling elite, while the majority of citizens have not benefited significantly.
“To address these issues, it is essential to reorient the political system towards developmental politics prioritising citizens’ needs.”
Fundamental adjustments, according to him, are necessary to ensure democracy delivers benefits to all Nigerians, not just a privileged few.
“The reality of democracy in Nigeria today is that it has not prioritised the people. This should not be so,” he stressed.
