“Do-or-die. Grab it, snatch it, and run with it.” These are the philosophies that have defined Nigeria’s democracy. Sixty six years after Nigeria gained political independence, it has chased the dream of democracy which should ensure good governance. This dream of democracy has become elusive on the altar of politics and a mixed system of government. Two different systems: democracy and military have been in practice. On paper we have a government by the people or by the junta, in reality, it is kakistocracy, government by the least qualified; an oligarchy, where only the powerful few actually matter; an autocracy, where the people's voices are silenced by the weight of the central, unchecked power; and a kleptocracy - a government of looters, where the nation’s wealth is treated as a private exploit for those in charge. In practice, from these systems combined, Nigeria’s political system has evolved into a hybrid regime system of government.
Independence Day was a joyous day for Nigerians. We celebrated freedom from British rule, but we soon realized that independence didn't mean true liberty. The road after was anything but smooth. In the last 27 years of democracy since 1999, Nigeria has gone without military intervention. We should be glad and march on the red carpet. But what is the joy of this democracy if it does nothing to bring succor to the people? It is, rather, pain, anguish, poverty, hopelessness and death that Nigerians endure. Yet, in the middle of it all, Nigerians are said to be the happiest people on earth.
We are rightly on another election cycle where democracy is preached. Promises are made which remain unkept as the people in power have different interpretations of democracy. As president Tinubu intoned to his supporters: Political power is not going to be served in a restaurant. It is not served a la carte... Fight for it, grab it, snatch it, and run with it. When such invocation took place and the elections of the 2023 largely followed through with it, and in addition to that, some voters were killed, injured, ballot boxes snatched or burned and Rivers state votes were transferred, it is evident that democracy is in turmoil in Nigeria.
With these outcomes, which have not given the voters confidence to vote, low voter turnout is largely experienced. Since 1999, Nigeria has been grappling with voter apathy which is caused by many issues including insecurity and lack of trust in the government and the conviction that votes do not count.
Democracy is chosen by majority rule but in Nigeria it is made by a small percentage. Going by the population of the country, by the number of registered voters and actual voters and vote share among the candidates, Nigeria’s election seems determined by the minority which essentially is not in the true sense of democracy.
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To an average Nigerian, democracy is simply the campaigns, the elections, the stomach infrastructure and the rituals of elections which Nigerians have become trapped in. But the real dividends of democracy are lost to politics. Since 1999, when Nigeria pivoted back to democracy from military rule, again there was hope but soon, that optimism turned to hopelessness, and vulnerabilities. Nigerians became poorer, institutions started to crumble, infrastructure in ruins, health care systems in shambles while the politicians made fun of the situation. While they tell the poor to "breathe," they suffocate the economy. Nigeria’s democracy is a charade gathering of the inept who have no clue of what governance means but an opportunity for themselves to pillage and engage in sophistry while the people bear the excruciating brunt.
Ballot box, as I previously examined, is the driver of development or lack of in Nigeria and therein lies the traps. Who is “elected” or in Nigeria, who gets announced as the winner determines the trajectory of the nation in the period of the four years or eight years and since 1999, it has been a march down the hill.
The hybrid regime as practiced in Nigeria is not sustainable. The country which is one of the largest oil producers in the world cannot refine its oil but imports, cannot electrify the country, is riddled with inflation which has crushed the purchasing power of the citizens and eliminated the middle-class. The idea of making informed choices where religion and ethnicity also play important roles in who gets to lead the people have contributed in making Nigeria’s democracy being one of the worst experiences in modern history.
On June 12, President Tinubu begged Nigerians not to emigrate. Nigerians have come to realise that Nigeria has become a dream killer where the people find the only way out is to emigrate. The brains and backbone of the country is abandoning the country to search their dreams elsewhere. Nigeria cannot employ or protect her citizens. The unemployment rate is high and insecurity does not provide peace of mind. It is not serving Nigeria any good but a race to perdition. The failure to deliver economic dividends is a deliberate sabotage of the democratic process.
Make no mistake, there is a very thin line between resilience and accepting oppression. Being the happiest people may be a translation of resilience in the face of political avarice. To survive the day-to-day life of being a Nigerian, being happy becomes a coping mechanism. It is a dereliction of duty that Nigerians carry out the duties of the government in providing for themselves electricity, or water even tarring of roads while those who are tasked to lead, use these to play politics.
Democracy, the Nigerian way, is expensive to maintain. In 2023 elections, N355billion was released to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the election which was marred with so many malpractices. In the upcoming 2027 election, N873.8bn was proposed. N209.2bn was earmarked for technology. Despite these billions poured into the elections, it is the same logistical failures, server failures, BVAS and IREV malfunction, late arrival of materials and so many issues which are most times incomprehensible.
Just look at the recently concluded Direct primaries held across the nation, it is short of reason. While direct primary offers the people a direct contact with the individuals who aspire to lead, give them opportunity to sell their vision and work to earn the votes, while it is laughable, Nigeria’s direct primary was a sham. The counting was a gimmick and comical at the same time and in the end, millions were recorded as being counted. These are the ways democracy fails Nigerians and continues to fail.
Nigeria produces many experts in technology doing well across the world, but our elections are not at par with that. The system is broken and sustained by those who profit from this chaos and economic malady and they are not ready to do anything about it. We have institutionalised a culture where political office is seen as a prize to be captured, where a politician's life meal ticket is insured. They do not see their public positions as a heavy burden of service to be carried on behalf of millions. Nigerians look with dismay while the institutions, especially the judiciary are chipped away.
The judiciary which is the bastion of justice is captured and their ruling is more political than actual justice. This indicates the full capture of the institutions of government akin to the military decree and fiat. What more could the people hope to gain from the democracy where the safety of their lives and property seem no longer important to the government but in the hands of the individuals.
Take a look at this, provision of electricity, security, clean water, healthcare are mostly taken up by the individual. What then does the government do rather than political posture? The lack of security and increase of banditry is a direct failure of democratic governance.
When citizens can no longer rely on the government for the basic provisions that are constitutionally handled by the government, democracy loses its fundamental promise.
While every aspect of governance is a failure, even the economy is below par, frustrating the citizens, democracy is on a steep journey to the brink.
At this moment in time, we can say that Nigerians have actually arrived at the brink not because the military is knocking to take over, but that while the leaders dine and wine, the people no longer see themselves at the centre of the policies and because people have stopped believing that they matter, that their votes count or that democracy exists to cater to them and is seen as a transactional business enterprise where votes are bought. When the 'happiest people on earth' stop smiling and start leaving and start asking themselves questions, the brink is no longer a metaphor; it is a reality.
They have come to a realisation, Nigeria’s democracy in hybrid regime garb does not work for them. Ethnic and religious division does not put food on their table. They are prepared to take back political power which truly belongs to the people.