Problems of Democracy in Nigeria & Solutions
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Nigeria is a democratic state or that is what it is supposed to be.
However, the country has experienced obstacles that have hindered the
implementation of democratic principles and caused stagnation of the
nation’s growth. This article writes on Problems of Democracy in
Nigeria and solutions.
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Problems of Democracy in Nigeria & Solutions
Corruption
Corruption is the first and major cankerworm eating deep into Nigeria.
It has become the norm in Nigeria and is now difficult to condemn.
Many Nigerians even believe that everyone has to be corrupt once they
get to the seat of power. This is because many politicians have proven
that they are in office simply to steal the nation’s money. It is
baffling how politicians amass wealth, even that which they do not
need. This is a major red flag to the success of democracy in Nigeria.
The masses see that those who loot the nation’s money can easily get
away with it and thus have no faith in the government. A solution to
this problem is that there should be penalties that match up to the
grave crime of embezzlement and looting. Penalties such as 30 years’
imprisonment and confiscation of the assets of corrupt government
officials without the option of bail. This would deter those in
political positions from stealing public funds and would also restore
the trust of the people in the Nigerian government. This would be only
right because democracy is supposed to create strong institutions that
would discourage corruption.
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Poor Justice Delivery
The Nigerian Judiciary is another weak institution that has aided the
fall of democracy in Nigeria. In Nigeria, the rich are above the law
because they can buy it out. Over the years, the poor in the country
have suffered a grave injustice. If a politician is prosecuted for
stealing billions of naira from pension funds, he or she can be given
two years behind bars with the option of a fine of N750,000 while a
man who stole a phone would spend about eight years in prison without
an option of a fine. If one is rich in Nigeria, one can twist the
wheels of justice. In Nigeria, many corrupt government officials go on
enjoying the money they have looted while the poor cannot afford basic
services of lawyers and therefore languish in jail over minor
offenses. The solution to this is that judges and security agents
found guilty of corruption and partisanship be prosecuted and also pay
dearly for this crime by dismissal without gratuity.
High Cost of Governance
In Nigeria, we cannot boast of improved living standards of the
citizens. Only a few, lawmakers and other appointed public office
holders have increased wealth and a better standard of living. It is
supposed to be the aim of every government to ensure her people are
well taken care of, but this is not the case in Nigeria. It is
reported that a Senator in Nigeria earns over N20 million per month.
Ministers are reported to spend several millions of Naira on
bulletproof cars and flights. The presidency is not left out with
several jets unused when in countries such as Britain, the Prime
minister is reported to fly commercial jets. First, Nigerian lawmakers
are too many and irrelevant to the Nigerian economy. We have a large
train of special advisers and assistants, which all makes the
government unnecessarily bloated. This also influences the country’s
expenditure. The salaries and allowances of lawmakers and ministers
cannot work in a country with low-income revenue as Nigeria. The
solution to this is that the salary of public office holders is
drastically reviewed downward for the benefit of the Nigerian
citizens.
Poverty and Illiteracy
The challenges that poverty and illiteracy pose to Nigeria democracy
cannot be over-emphasized. 80% of the Nigerian population is poor and
uneducated. Poverty and Illiteracy make the people gullible and they
can be easily bought over by corrupt politicians. Then, eligible and
good-hearted citizens cannot win elections because of money politics.
Electoral violence and crimes are also on the increase because
unemployed and idle youths are easily recruited to cause crimes during
elections. Because of poverty, many will vote against their
conscience. Job creation and employment is crucial in a democratic
environment. The people must be well informed and able to ask
questions, criticize government policies, make enquiries into how
resources are being allocated and make demands on the government. It
is only in this way that true democracy can be practiced as the
citizens then partake in governance. When we address the issue of
poverty and illiteracy in Nigeria, electoral violence will be reduced
minimally and people will vote more rightly.
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Insecurity
This is another great threat to Nigeria’s democracy. In the southern
part of Nigeria, the issue of kidnapping for ransom is on the rise.
While in the northern part of the country, there is the problem of
terrorism by Boko Haram. This has wasted several lives and destroyed
properties of the nation worth billions of Naira. There is also the
Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra
(MASSOB) that clamours for Independence for the region. Nigeria thus
faces a threat of secession which is a result of poor governance, weak
military power, and unequal allocation of revenue.
Cross Carpeting
We have addressed the issue of corruption in Nigeria. We have very
many greedy politicians in Nigeria. These ones always want to remain
in power at all costs. Hence, they see nothing wrong in defecting to
other political parties once it offers them the opportunity to run for
election. In Nigeria, you will find many politicians defecting from
their parties to the ruling party when it is almost time for the
election. In fact, many politicians use the money they have looted to
defect to another party. The effect of this is that we have a very
weak opposition party. For there to be good governance in a democratic
society, there needs to be a vibrant opposition party that can stand
up to the ruling party and put them on their toes. However, this is no
longer the case in Nigeria because it is now all mashed up.
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Nigeria is a democratic state or that is what it is supposed to be.
However, the country has experienced obstacles that have hindered the
implementation of democratic principles and caused stagnation of the
nation’s growth. This article writes on Problems of Democracy in
Nigeria and solutions.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Problems of Democracy in Nigeria & Solutions
Corruption
Corruption is the first and major cankerworm eating deep into Nigeria.
It has become the norm in Nigeria and is now difficult to condemn.
Many Nigerians even believe that everyone has to be corrupt once they
get to the seat of power. This is because many politicians have proven
that they are in office simply to steal the nation’s money. It is
baffling how politicians amass wealth, even that which they do not
need. This is a major red flag to the success of democracy in Nigeria.
The masses see that those who loot the nation’s money can easily get
away with it and thus have no faith in the government. A solution to
this problem is that there should be penalties that match up to the
grave crime of embezzlement and looting. Penalties such as 30 years’
imprisonment and confiscation of the assets of corrupt government
officials without the option of bail. This would deter those in
political positions from stealing public funds and would also restore
the trust of the people in the Nigerian government. This would be only
right because democracy is supposed to create strong institutions that
would discourage corruption.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Poor Justice Delivery
The Nigerian Judiciary is another weak institution that has aided the
fall of democracy in Nigeria. In Nigeria, the rich are above the law
because they can buy it out. Over the years, the poor in the country
have suffered a grave injustice. If a politician is prosecuted for
stealing billions of naira from pension funds, he or she can be given
two years behind bars with the option of a fine of N750,000 while a
man who stole a phone would spend about eight years in prison without
an option of a fine. If one is rich in Nigeria, one can twist the
wheels of justice. In Nigeria, many corrupt government officials go on
enjoying the money they have looted while the poor cannot afford basic
services of lawyers and therefore languish in jail over minor
offenses. The solution to this is that judges and security agents
found guilty of corruption and partisanship be prosecuted and also pay
dearly for this crime by dismissal without gratuity.
High Cost of Governance
In Nigeria, we cannot boast of improved living standards of the
citizens. Only a few, lawmakers and other appointed public office
holders have increased wealth and a better standard of living. It is
supposed to be the aim of every government to ensure her people are
well taken care of, but this is not the case in Nigeria. It is
reported that a Senator in Nigeria earns over N20 million per month.
Ministers are reported to spend several millions of Naira on
bulletproof cars and flights. The presidency is not left out with
several jets unused when in countries such as Britain, the Prime
minister is reported to fly commercial jets. First, Nigerian lawmakers
are too many and irrelevant to the Nigerian economy. We have a large
train of special advisers and assistants, which all makes the
government unnecessarily bloated. This also influences the country’s
expenditure. The salaries and allowances of lawmakers and ministers
cannot work in a country with low-income revenue as Nigeria. The
solution to this is that the salary of public office holders is
drastically reviewed downward for the benefit of the Nigerian
citizens.
Poverty and Illiteracy
The challenges that poverty and illiteracy pose to Nigeria democracy
cannot be over-emphasized. 80% of the Nigerian population is poor and
uneducated. Poverty and Illiteracy make the people gullible and they
can be easily bought over by corrupt politicians. Then, eligible and
good-hearted citizens cannot win elections because of money politics.
Electoral violence and crimes are also on the increase because
unemployed and idle youths are easily recruited to cause crimes during
elections. Because of poverty, many will vote against their
conscience. Job creation and employment is crucial in a democratic
environment. The people must be well informed and able to ask
questions, criticize government policies, make enquiries into how
resources are being allocated and make demands on the government. It
is only in this way that true democracy can be practiced as the
citizens then partake in governance. When we address the issue of
poverty and illiteracy in Nigeria, electoral violence will be reduced
minimally and people will vote more rightly.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Insecurity
This is another great threat to Nigeria’s democracy. In the southern
part of Nigeria, the issue of kidnapping for ransom is on the rise.
While in the northern part of the country, there is the problem of
terrorism by Boko Haram. This has wasted several lives and destroyed
properties of the nation worth billions of Naira. There is also the
Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra
(MASSOB) that clamours for Independence for the region. Nigeria thus
faces a threat of secession which is a result of poor governance, weak
military power, and unequal allocation of revenue.
Cross Carpeting
We have addressed the issue of corruption in Nigeria. We have very
many greedy politicians in Nigeria. These ones always want to remain
in power at all costs. Hence, they see nothing wrong in defecting to
other political parties once it offers them the opportunity to run for
election. In Nigeria, you will find many politicians defecting from
their parties to the ruling party when it is almost time for the
election. In fact, many politicians use the money they have looted to
defect to another party. The effect of this is that we have a very
weak opposition party. For there to be good governance in a democratic
society, there needs to be a vibrant opposition party that can stand
up to the ruling party and put them on their toes. However, this is no
longer the case in Nigeria because it is now all mashed up.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
jQuery(document).ready(function( $) { $.post(
'https://nigerianfinder.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php', {action:
'mts_view_count', id: '290845'}); });
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