DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA CRISES AND CONTRADICTIONS (1999-2011).

DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA CRISES AND CONTRADICTIONS (1999-2011).

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background to the Study

        Despite all social and economic policies that have been implemented by successive administrations, Nigeria has remained a laggard in social, economic and political developments. Subsequently, political instability, abject poverty, acute youth unemployment, heightened crime rate, poor health prospects, widespread malnourishment and the like, have been the recurrent features of Nigeria’s political economy. One of the major explanations for the failure of all development programmes in Nigeria has been the absence of democracy and the intermittent military intervention in politics. However, with the benefit of hindsight and as demonstrated by the current experience, even the periods of civil rule (1960 – 1966, 1979 – 1983 and 1999 to date ) failed to produce any positive or better results. This assertion is vindicated by the report of a survey conducted by Simbine (2000) which showed that, in terms of performance, respondents in her study gave higher ranks to three military regimes   (General   MurtalaMuhammed    1975 -1976, General   MuhammedBuhari 1983 – 1985 and General   Yakubu Gowon,  respectively), even though the two civilian administrations of Sir  AbubakarTafawaBalewa,  1963 - 1966 and AlahjiShehuShagari, 1979 – 1983 were included. This shows that there is no automatic connection between democracy and development.  Secondly, though discussable, the result implies, in the context of the Nigeria experience, that the record of the military is a bit better than that of the civilian counterpart. Nevertheless, over generalization may be dangerous in the regard, every indicators pointed to the fact that Nigeria were worst off during Shagari’s administration. Meanwhile, it is not an overstatement to contend that the return of the country to electoral democracy in 1999 had not made any significant impact on the economic and social well-being of the people. A good member of factor have been identified as responsible for the prolonged development tragedy in Nigeria (Simbine ,2000). These include the colonial legacy, bureaucratic and political corruption, poor labour disciplines, globalization and unfavorable international environment, unpatriotic followers and bad leadership to mention a few. This study examines the nexus between democracy and good governance. It also provides explanations on why democracy has not engendered good governance and why the ruling class flagrantly disregards the principles of law and democratic ideals.

1.2   Stateof the Problem

          Put differently, lack of democracy may breed bad governance. This also accounts for bad governance experienced in Nigeria. The tenets of democracy or what scholars call “democratic ideals” are the ingredients of good governance (Linz and Stepan, 2006). Such ideals include: political participation, tolerance, freedom of expression, openness, accountability, transparency, equal opportunity, rule of law and fundamental human rights (Diamond; 2008). Unfortunately, however, these tenets are lacking in Nigeria. It is the absence of all these that promotes bad governance and bring about democratic crisis in Nigeria. Virtually all the government in the world today, no matter how tyrannical, tries to give the appearance of constitutionalism and claims to be democratic (Magstadt, 2009). The good benefits therein can only be achieved under a stabilized democratic system of government. The concern at this point is whether the explanation is applicable to Nigeria or not.

The democratic regime inaugurated on May 29, 1999, headed by former President OlusegunObasanjo. The establishment of new institutions, the development of effective political procedures and the resolution of numerous policy problems present urgent issues in the consolidation of democratic rule.

The growth of democracy has been constrained; there are numerous ethno-religious and political crises everywhere, the country seem to be suffering from utterly disastrous economic and social performance in recent years. Many parts of the country are experiencing political and social-economic retrogression and retardation (Kent and Steven 1996).

More so, democracy in Nigeria has failed to meet the basic tenets such as respect for human rights, adherence to the rule of law, good leadership and annihilation of poverty. This further leads to some relevant questions on how to bring about good governance, true democracy and societal development.

1.3 Research Questions

Some of the research questions are as follows;

• Is there any linkage between democracy and good governance in Nigeria

• What are the crises facing democracy  and good governance in Nigeria 

• What can Nigeria do to consolidate democracy and entrench good governance in the polity.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The research work shall set to achieve the following objective;

• To identify the link between democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

• To investigate the challenge of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

• To examine the role of political leadership in democratic sustainability.

• To provide explanations on why democracy has not engendered good governance in Nigeria.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research work is very important to the extent that it will provide on and challenges of the nature of good governance and democracy in Nigeria. It will affirm on how democracy can be sustained in Nigeria, thereby contributing to the already existing academic literature on the phenomenon under study.

1.6 Research Methodology

This study will use primary and secondary source s of data collection. Primary collection of data will be from the use of questionnaire and the targeted audience will be from the age of 18 and above and must be educated with the minimum qualification of senior secondary school certificate. 

The questionnaire shall contain both open ended and closed formats. 100 questionaire will be administered in all. The questionnaire will be structure in a comprehensive manner in order to generate the required the data for the realization of the objectives.

While the secondary source of data will be from textbooks, newspapers, internet service, report from conferences both published and unpublished works, seminars, journals, and any other materials suitable for research work which will provide a suitable platform for investigation in other to have a good perspectives of the issues of Democracy and good governance in Nigeria

1.7   Theoretical Framework

This study will adopt elite theory of scientifically analyze issues inherent in democracy and good governance. The Elite theory emerged as a result of the nature of control of leadership in democracy and good governance. The theory was postulated by Vilfredo Pareto (1845-1923) and GetanoMosca (1857-1941). In this discourse, the elite theory is used to explain how the role of elite has affected democracy in Nigeria.

According to this theory, the elite dominate the formal institutions of government and also they are seen as decision makers in the political process at the expense of the passive masses.

Wright Mills (1950) holds that, democracy is governed by neither the voters nor public opinion nor a variety of competing interest but rather a small number of wealthy individuals. Mills studied the ruling class in the United State, which enshrines the principle of political equity by putting the power elites in the spotlight, Mills challenged the idea of government by the people and questions whether it exists.

           Robert Michel (1966) also advanced a theory of elitism, that the few privileged occupied the top position in large organizations, including government parastatals and these few gain more knowledge and information, greater control of communication, while the great mass of citizens remain politically unsophisticated. According to this view, the people for whose benefit democratic institutions were originally conceived are inevitably shut out of the political processes.

           In elitist theories, democracy is seen as a sham or myth: it does not matter what the people think, or do, because they have no real influence on the public policy. From this perspective, the “irony of democracy” is clear. This means the elites are the bulwark in democracy and the chief threat to the survival of democracy and good governance.

Elites as threat to survival are crystal clear in the situation of Nigeria democracy and good governance. Besides, the elites have dominated the democratic process and making it an obscured one in Nigeria. The elites here are seen as those political office holders that comprises politicians, administrators, policy makers and other top echelons in government institutions. In this view, most of these few elites are in one way or the other elected or chosen into political positions to represent the public as well as being accountable to them. Since the majorities are politically unsophisticated, therefore the elites are in position to represent their interests.

Elite theory is based on a number of assumptions:

• The society consists of two categories: the selected few, who are capable and therefore, have the right to supreme leadership; and the vast masses of the people who are desired to be ruled.

• The majority of human beings are pathetic, indolent and slavishly uninformed about what goes on in the administrative system and permanently incapable of self-government. That is, the elite decide on the structure, the personnel, the process of public policies of the administrative system;

• Hence, the structure, substance and output of the administrative system may be viewed as the preference and values of the governing elites (Dowse and Hughes, 1983).  

        The elite theory postulates that public policies are reflexive of the majority rather than that of the majority who chose them. These elites consist of influential individuals this may  not be politicians alone; it involve capitalist such as captains of industries, renowned wealthy men that control the political office holders as a result of their rich endowment and direct every policy making in their favor at the detriment of the impoverished, naïve and passive larger populace (Ikelegbe,1994).

         The elite theory directs us to the creation of policies that are germane to the growth of the country; as these policies are created for the few who are seen in government parastatals and agencies, because the policy originated from their cabal. On one hand, contrary to this is the Nigerian democracy, those few elites that are elected by the majority do not perform the duties for which they are chosen and are accountable to the majority. Most of the elites tend to favor a particular segment of the population at the detriment of the large populace, thereby stunting democracy.

On the other hand, the elites are seen as the bulwark of democracy. Elites are capable of setting the tone of society by coming out with policies of their choice for the general benefits. The level of stability and progress achieved in any society is a function of elites’ initiatives. The civil unrest experienced in some parts of Africa and Middle East and the relative stability in Europe cannot be divorced from the role of elite in these areas (Arowolo, 2008).

           The fact that Nigeria’s experience is that of elites as the chief threat to the survival of democracy is reflexive of elite’s pursuit of self interest and promotion of egocentrism rather than the altruistic policies that are ‘people centric’ in nature. People centric policies refer to those policies that are for the people’s benefits and improvement on their standards of living as a whole to make a sustainable democracy and epitome of good government (Arowolo, 2008).

Data Analysis Technique:   

The study will adopt a statistical analysis of findings and of descriptive survey design for the purpose of easy inferences and valid generalizations.

Sample frame:

The sample frame for this study shall include politicians, civil society groups, public servants, traders, artisans, farmers, market women, students, e .t .c.

Study Area:

The study covers the whole of Nigeria but because of limited resources and encumbrances involved in traversing Nigeria, the study limits itself to some selected local governments in Ondo State.

Specifically, the study selects Akure South, Ondo West, Okitipupa, Owo and Akoko South West local governments, the research will be carried in these five (5) local governments.

1.8 Scope of the Study

The scope of the study shall cover democracy and good governance in Nigeria with focus on the fourth republic.

1.9 Basic Assumptions

i. the growth of democracy has been slowed  down by bad governance

ii. Development should be facilitated by democracy and good governance

iii. Good governance cannot be automatically be done by democracy but by laid down process

iv. there ought to be a good correlation between democracy and good governance.

1.10 Research Questions

Some of the research questions are as follows;

• Is there any linkage between democracy and good governance in Nigeria

• What are the crises facing democracy  and good governance in Nigeria 

• What can Nigeria do to consolidate democracy and entrench good governance in the polity.

1.11Definition of Terms

Corruption

 Professor (emeratus) DrPetrus Van Duyne defines    corruption is an improbity or decay in the decision-making process in which a decision-making consents to deviate .or demands deviation from the criterion which should rule his or her decision-making in exchange for a reward or for the promise or expectation of a reward, while these motives or influence his or her decision-making cannot be part of the justification of the decision.

Arowolo (2010), while conceptualizing corruption, divides corruption into two; political corruption and bureaucratic corruption;

Political Corruption

This takes place at the highest levels of political authority. It occurs when the politicians and the political decision makers, who are entitled to formulate, establish and implement laws, are themselves corrupt. It also takes place when policy formulation and legislation is tailored to benefit political leadership. It can also include purchase of vote with money, promises of the office or special favors, coercion, intimidation, and interference with freedom of election. This practice has almost become a norm in Nigeria’s political processes. Votes are either bought with money or secured through thuggery, intimidation of voters and violence. Electoral victory is no longer determined by one man, one vote rule, but is largely determined through the level of intimidation and federal connection.

Bureaucratic Corruption

This occurs in public bureaucracies or the implementation end of politics. This kind of corruption has been branded low level and street level. It is the kind of corruption the citizens encounter daily at places like the hospitals, schools, police stations, immigration offices and other public offices.

Other forms of corruption include: bribery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, favoritism, nepotism e .t. c.

Democracy

Generally, democracy is a form of government in which citizens in a state have political investments of political participation and trust (Ayoade, 1998). It essentially has to do with the ability of the people to control decision making ( Williams, 2001) which explains why Osaghae (1994) asserts that the central thing about democracy is to ensure that power actually belongs to the people.

Good Governance

The process of allocating resources, through the instrumentalities Sof the state, for the attainment of public good. Thus, governance includes institutional and structural arrangements, decision making processes, policy formulation and implementation capacity development of personnel, information flows and the nature and style of leadership within a  political systems. Hence, governance is largely about problem identification and solving. It is also about social, economic and political progress or advancement. Consequently, governance has social, economic, administrative and political dimensions ( World Bank Institute, 2003).

1.12 Organization of the Study

Chapter one will consist of the background of the study, statement of the problems, objectives of the study, significance of the study, basic assumptions, research methodology, scope of the study, definition of major concepts, chapter organizations and reference.

Chapter two will focus on literature review and theoretical framework.

Chapter three dwells on the crises and contradictions of democracy and good governance. Chapter four comprises data gathering, analysis and interpretation. Chapter five consists of summary, conclusion and recommendations.

References

Arowolo, D.  (2010 ). “ Corruption in Nigeria : An appraisal of the involvement the state and the Bureaucracy” in Agagu, A.A., Arowolo, D.,Afinotan, L.A. and  Lawal, T.(eds) Public Administration in Nigeria. Akure : Alabi – Eyo Co Ltd.

Linz,   J.J. and  Stepan,   A.C.(2006)  “ Problems of  Democratic Transition and Consolidation.  America:  John Hopkins University Press.

Simbine,    A.T. (2000) “ Citizens Disposition towards Governance and Democrati Rule in Nigeria. Ibadan :Rasmed Publishers. World Bank Institute (2003). The Role of Non – Actors in Improving Governance in Nigeria, CD  ROM, Abuja, Nigeria.

Ogban O. I, (1996).“The National Assembly, Corruption and Democratization” I Gboyega Alex (Ed.) Corruption and Democratization in Nigeria. Ibadan: Agbo Areo Publishers.

Oluwole, S.B. (2003). “Democracy and Indigenous Governance: The Nigeria Experience”,inOguejiofor J. Obi (Ed.) Philosophy, Democracy and Responsible Governance in Africa. New Brunswick and London Transaction Publishers pp. 419-430.

Owolabi, K.A. (2003). “Can the Past Salvage the Future? Indigenous Democracy and the Quest for Sustainable Democratic Governance in Africa” I Oguejiofor J. Obi (Ed.) Philosophy, Democracy and Responsible Governance in Africa. New Brunswick and London: Transaction Publishers pp. 431-444.

Oyebode, A. (1996). “The Judiciary, Corruption and Democratization” in Gboyeg Alex (Ed.).Corruption and Democratization in Nigeria.Ibadan: Agbo Areo Publishers.

Parekh, B. (1993). “The Cultural Particularly of Liberal Democracy”, in David Held (ed.) Prospects for Democracy. North, South, East, West (Polity Press).

Simbine, A.T. (200) “Citizens Disposition towards Governance and Democratic Rule in Nigeria. Ibadan: Rasmed Publishers. Skinner, E.P. (1970). “The “Paradox” of Rural Leadership: A Comment”. J. Modern Afri. Stud. 6(2): 199-201.