Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has highlighted the lack of good leadership as the reason Nigerians have not enjoyed the dividends of democracy since the inception of democratic rule in the country.
Speaking at a retreat organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Ilorin, Jega stated that although Nigeria has good leaders, they are in short supply, and the democratic institutions are weak.
He explained that even though we elect leaders every four years, they haven’t been able to bring about the development and improvements that most people want. He blamed this on bad leadership and weak democratic institutions.
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Dividends of democracy have not yet been desirable
Jega emphasized the importance of having good leaders who can make positive changes and inspire people. He said that leaders should be responsible, honest, and have the experience and skills to understand how democracy works and the need for institutions that promote good governance.
He specifically said:
“Nigeria has been on a trajectory of liberal democratic development continuously for 23 years, since 1999 when the military returned to the barracks, While every four years we have routinely elected representatives into the legislative and executive arms of government, there is consensus that these elements of liberal democratic development have not yet translated into substantive socioeconomic development that satisfies the needs and aspirations of the overwhelming majority of citizens.”
“The basic things we require in good governance are good leaders that can be transformational and transitional if we are to achieve good dividends of democracy, “Jega said.
“We also need institutions that can inspire good governance”, the former INEC chairman said.
Nigeria cannot afford to fail its citizenry
In response, the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, said that Nigeria has made progress in its democracy, even though there are still challenges.
He encouraged people to focus on the positive and work together to strengthen democratic institutions.
He specifically said:
“Divergent opinions and views are allowed in any clime. And for the so-called apologists of democracy worldwide who believe that Nigeria cannot survive with its democracy, we don’t need to look outside, we don’t need to entertain fear because we can’t afford to fail our people.
“We have started democracy in almost 24 years now. When we first started, people never thought we would get to where we are now. For some people to have this kind of phobia, and pessimism and say Nigeria cannot survive, be it in the area of security, or political system, it is for us as a people to put that one behind us and see that perhaps as something that could ginger us to move forward. That we have done in the last 24 years.”
“We at NILDS must therefore understand the nature of the fundamental changes and be in a good position to provide the necessary support to the National Assembly and other democratic institutions in line with our statutory role”.
The meeting was held to discuss how to support the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly under Senator Godswill Akpabio’s leadership. It aimed to find ways to improve the partnership between the executive and legislative branches for the benefit of the country.
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Jega: Nigeria on the verge of collapsing
Erstwhile Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said the country is on the verge of collapsing, with leaders ‘running the country aground’.
He noted that the 2023 general elections were crucial to the country’s unity at large.
Sources said Jega delivered a keynote address at the 2022 Workers’ Political Conference organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja.
