Opinion: The Ruining of Nigerian Democracy, By Umar Muhammad

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Nigerian nascent democracy championed as a breakaway from the years long military dictatorship is facing the most roughest huddle in recent history. In every democracies worldwide, the role play by the executive, legislature and judiciary cannot be over emphasized, each being independent of one another is expected to work harmoniously for the attainment of the yearning and aspirations of the larger citizens whose interest they are expected to represent. Although to some extent, disagreements do occur, but through negotiations, compromise can be reached for the betterment of the citizens and stability of the polity.

Today in Nigeria, virtually all the arms of government are not working in tune with the tenants of democratic principles, the executive as accused in many quarters have been taking several decisions without consultation or seeking approval from the legislature, this has been protested severally by the legislative arm. The legislature in its part have in recent times caught in acts considered unpatriotic and sabotage on the government and the Nigerian people, the issues of budget padding, violation of legislative extant laws, principles and acts, undue interference on non legislative roles, bribe seeking and taking, unnecessary rivalry and infighting in pursuing legislative principal posts, non disclosure of financial allocations including salaries and other emoluments, lack of vision, inadequate and inefficient representation among others. Judiciary also has been embedded in perpetual corruption, judicial compromise and financial recklessness. These series of accusations, allegations and blemishes against the Nigerian three arms of government is an indication that all is not well with the Nigerian democratic system. The continued being at the logger-head between the executive and the legislatures have continued to create negative scenarios at the detriment of the Nigerian people, and the smooth running of the political process. Apart from budget   down-sizing or up-sizing, legislatures today were of the habit of rebuffing most of the executive bills and initiatives including nominees send by the executive, and leaving their core responsibilities of legislation in pursuit of self-centered agendas. The lackadaisical attitudes in the dispensation of justice buttressed by the judiciary is a setback on the executive's determination on war against graft and financial crimes, which is considered the evil behind Nigerian current economic downturn. The expectations was that, the judiciary would not treat corruption cases with kid-gloves, but findings reveals that judges and lawyers are involved in some of the recent most blowing corruption scandals. This indicate that corruption and other high level criminal cases involving high level individuals would continue to linger in our courts, with those under investigation moving freely, and in the end would buy their way out, without being convicted, fined or send to jail.

It's worth noting that, Nigerian democracy is being put as a sacrificial lamb to serve the selfish interest of the Nigerian governing elites, this is because the composition of the people involved in sabotaging the Nigerian democracy were all products and beneficiaries of the Nigerian democratic governing system overtime. The saboteurs whether from the executive, such as the ministers, secretaries, chiefs, special advisers and aides among others. From the legislature, as members from the same party or the opposition, Clarks, and aides. From the judiciary such as the judges, lawyers and registrars of courts. These sort of individuals were all engaged directly or indirectly in sabotaging the Nigerian democracy in order to remain relevant in the political scene of Nigeria, at the detriment of the Nigerian citizens, democratic consolidation and national development. Their continued rivalry, lack of vision, non compliance and commitment have continued to hamper the democratic process and the benefits attached, and this remained the major source of unnecessary polity heat up, with attendant consequences on smooth governance of the country.

Finally, the forgone scenarios pushed my suggestion that, government should look inward to fine-tune necessary measures that would put to a halt both executive, legislative and judicial rascality and recklessness in the Nigerian democratic governing system. Executive appointees, members of legislative houses, judicial officers must all strive to work in accordance with the tenants of democracy and democratic principles and constitutional provisions, to avoid collusion cause and undue interference. Credible and competent people of integrity must be elected and appointed, who without doubt can seek harmony not rivalry on the discharge of their official functions, the executive must thoroughly investigate and resolve issues of power abuse within their fold, to serve as role model as an antagonist of impunity, rascality and recklessness. Nigerians must be patriotic enough to push for the democratic consolidation and development. With these steps, Nigerian democratic system would prosper among the comity of African and world nations.

Umar Muhammad

mumarlere@gmail.com

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