200A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has provided a detailed analysis of Nigeria’s 25 years of democratic rule, describing it as fragile and marked by fluctuations across all levels of government.
In a statement issued on Wednesday to commemorate Nigeria’s unbroken democratic experience, Eze emphasized the importance of reflecting on the country’s tumultuous journey and the sacrifices made by its citizens in the quest to rebuild the nation.
Eze highlighted that Nigeria, as a democratically stable and economically viable state, must recommit to genuine service to assume its rightful place as a leading nation in the black world, not just in Africa. He pointed out that the foundation for democracy, which was laid in the 6th century B.C. in ancient Athens, has profoundly influenced political systems worldwide, including Nigeria.
He elaborated, “After decades of colonial rule followed by authoritarian regimes and military dictatorships, the wave of democratic transition swept through Africa, marking a turning point in the political landscape of many African nations like Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya where the jinx of single-party dominance was broken, allowing for deeper political pluralism and more conscious citizens’ participation across the continent.”
Eze reflected on Nigeria’s struggle for independence, noting that enlightened citizens and notable elites led the campaign that eventually detached Nigeria from British colonial rule. “To the pride of her citizens, the British flag was lowered and the green flag hoisted with the new but old national anthem – ‘Nigeria we hail thee’, ringing through the air,” he remarked.
However, Eze warned that Nigeria’s democracy has been unstable, plagued by political competition, communal, ethnic, religious, and resource allocation rivalries, all of which threaten democratic stability. He stated, “Corruption pervades the daily lives of Nigerians. Many government institutions do not adequately engage with citizens or the private sector and lack the capacity to carry out their mandates.”
Despite efforts by successive governments to create a sense of national unity in a country with over 200 ethnic groups, Eze believes the quest for rebirth remains elusive. He pointed out Nigeria’s troubled history with military rule, noting, “Almost half of its existence as an independent state has been under the dictatorial regime of her military class, which has overthrown three republics through coups since 1960.”
Eze criticized the failure of leadership in Nigeria, describing it as a major barrier to progress. “Leadership, that vital ingredient for the effective running of every society, has failed Nigeria. After a series of laboratory tests and diagnoses to ascertain the depth of damage that has stagnated every forward movement, resulting in multi-sectoral barrenness and a pauperized populace to a marked degree, the results have defied all known mechanisms of interpretation. It is alarming that the problem of leadership in the context of Nigeria’s democracy is dangerously complex, microscopic, infectious, and legion,” he concluded.
