National Issues
ANATOMY OF NIGERIA’S SICKLY DEMOCRACY.
SINCE 1999 that democracy become entrenched in Nigeria, it has been a narrative dotted by the experiences of poor governance. This is often reinforced by continuous desire and expectation of a brighter future for the country in spite of the inherent contradictions and systemic lapses in our democratic culture and practices . As a country, our democracy has not fully developed and grown to help the citizens achieve the economic prosperity, social advancement and political development, eighteen years after its enthronement . Every May 29 is therefore a unique day in the annals of Nigeria, for being dedicated as the nation’s democracy day. The day is not just for fanfare but it is rather an occasion for the citizens to reflect on the state of the nation.
This is an appropriate period for re-examination of prospects of the country’s democracy. By using every known performance index, the country’s democracy could at best be described as ill. Our democracy is so described because it is dysfunctional and deeply rooted in corruption, maladministration and social injustices.
Out of all the predictors of our sickly democracy, corruption remains a major anathema. It is obviously the main fabrics of all other social ills afflicting the nation. Despite the huge investment on awareness campaigns by the government, legal control mechanism in place and whistle blowing policy of President Muhammed Buhari’s administration, corruption is still a major national concern and unbeatable menace.
This calls for attitudinal change. Except this done, Nigeria will continue to be stigmatised as a country peopled by fantastically corrupt persons. Of course, war against corruption needs to be extended beyond prosecution and retrieval of looted funds from political officer holders and public servants.
For the country to win the ongoing war against corruption, programmes of instructions in schools and the nation’s educational curriculum need a review to strategically emphasise moral teachings. As the nation marks the year 2017 democracy day, the current National economic challenges is expected to dominate people’s thoughts and public discourse across the nation.
Of course, the government efforts to halt recession notwithstanding, the direct negative impacts of this global economic crisis is still being felt by the citizens from rural to urban communities across the country. Apparently, there is no clear sign and proof that Nigerians will soon overcome the challenges of the economic recession as citizens complain daily of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, unemployment and high inflationary trends.
Worst hit with the realities of the current economic recession are the Nigerian workers. Without doubts, the nation’s public/civil servants are either groaning or lamenting daily as a result of persistent delay in the payment of their monthly salaries and allowances. The state governors under different guises have not been paying salaries and other entitlements of workers as and when due. In some states, workers are owing between ten to twelve months salary arrears.
In a situation whereby workers receive twenty five percent fraction of their salaries on monthly basis as subvention from government , it is predictive that the efficiency and productivity of such workforce will be dwindled and greatly diminished. It appears most of the state governors lack the proper understanding of roles of the public servants in policy formulation, policy review, policy interpretation,policy implementation, project execution and evaluation otherwise the workers could have been treated well.
Given the strategic roles of civil/public servants in the attainment of ideal democracy and realisation of the nation’s quest for social development, greater attention would have been paid to the workers’ welfare. If government at various levels fail to address the workers’ plight which is a consequence of irregularities in salary payments, I am sure the quest to achieve good governance in the country would remain a mirage.
This is because, the workforce by virtue of training, experience, professionalism and schedule of duties are the engine room of public administration and the driving force of any government. Regrettably, most governors and their top cabinet members enjoy limitless benefits of office including security votes without any constraints; whereas, an average worker has been pauperised by persistent delay in salary payment.
Under the present dispensation, public servants are now being classified ‘dependent group’ as vast majority of the Nigerian workers do what is called ‘begging by single’ to survive. This current reality exposes the shame of the nation.
The performance of the 8th National Assembly is not only degrading under the present dispensation but it has exposed the ills of the nation’s democracy. So far, the social conduct and public perception of the leadership of the National Assembly is a minus on the ratings of the legislative arm of government under the current democracy.
There is no way the Nigeria’s democracy can survive without a functional and dynamic parliament. The future of Nigeria’s democracy therefore depends on the credibility, integrity, competencies and performances of the nation’s legislators. In a way, occasional coup threats, alarms and rumours are parts of signs of the sickly state of the nation’s democracy.Of equal note is the relevance and the question of autonomy for the local government administration in Nigeria.Apparently, the governors run the local government system as an appendage of the state. It is worrisome that local governments now serve as conduit pipe with which the public funds are siphoned by the state governors.
Indeed, the local council system as the third arm of government needs urgent and critical reform to strengthen the nation’s democracy.
It is against this background that the writer concludes by praying for the sustainability and prosperity for the nation as we mark the year 2017 democracy day. It is my prayer that God heal the president Muhammed Buhari and grant him and his team the wisdom, knowledge and enablement to move the nation forward and at the same time heal her sickly democracy.
Except our leaders are guided to the right path, the desire to achieve an enduring and sustainable democracy for the nation will remain an illusion.
By Rahaman Onike, Oyo.
He is an author, public administrator and policy analyst.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has called for a prompt investigation into the increasing occurrences of building collapses in major cities across Nigeria.
In a motion presented to the House on Wednesday, Oseni expressed deep concern over the alarming frequency of building collapses, emphasising the threat they pose to the lives and property of Nigerians.
The APC lawmaker, through a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, cited the recent collapse of a two-storey school building at Saint Academy in Busa Buji, Jos, Plateau State, on July 12, 2024. The tragic incident, which trapped 154 people and claimed 22 lives, is the latest in a series of similar disasters, raising serious concerns nationwide.
Oseni also referenced a report from The Punch newspaper, which revealed that Nigeria had recorded 135 building collapse incidents between 2022 and July 2024.
“This figure is alarming and unacceptable,” he stated, stressing the urgency of preventing further occurrences.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oseni reminded the House that the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other relevant professional bodies are responsible for ensuring compliance with building standards and practices.
“Despite these regulatory frameworks, the recurring collapses suggest that enforcement is lacking. The loss of lives, properties, and resources is staggering, and this disturbing trend must be addressed immediately,” he remarked.
He proposed the formation of an Adhoc Committee to investigate the underlying causes of these collapses and recommend both immediate and long-term solutions.
Also, he urged the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure swift implementation of any recommendations.
The House agreed to deliberate on the motion and is expected to present its findings and proposed actions within eight weeks.
The Vice-chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, has expressed deep concern over the increasing involvement of religious leaders in material pursuits, accusing them of abandoning their spiritual duties in favour of wealth and influence.
Oba Alao, who is also the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, made this statement during a visit from the leadership of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement “Ayo Ni O,” led by Baba Aladura Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Alogbo, at his palace in Surulere Local Government on Thursday.
The monarch accused some religious leaders of sharing part of the blame for the moral and political crises that have engulfed the nation. According to him, spiritual leaders, once seen as the moral compass of society, have become compromised by corruption, aligning themselves with the very forces they should condemn.
Oba Alao was unapologetic in his criticism, stating, “Ninety-five percent of Nigerian leaders, both political and religious, are spiritually compromised.”
He argued that this moral decay among clerics has made it impossible for them to hold political leaders accountable or speak the truth to those in power, as their integrity has been eroded by their pursuit of material wealth.
“Carnality has taken over spirituality. Our religious leaders can no longer speak the truth to those in authority because their minds have been corrupted. Most of the so-called General Overseers (G.O.) are corrupt and perverted,” Oba Alao added.
He stressed that this shift towards wealth accumulation at the expense of spiritual values has greatly contributed to the country’s stagnation in development and social justice.
Olugbon urged both religious leaders and traditional rulers to reflect on their actions, reminding them that they would be held accountable for their stewardship, both in this world and the next.
“The prayers of sinners are an abomination before God, hence the need for our leaders to rethink,” he warned.
The monarch concluded by reiterating the transient nature of power and the importance of staying true to sacred duties, regardless of the temptation to indulge in worldly gains. “I am a traditional ruler. I don’t belong, and will never belong, to any occultic groups,” he emphasised, drawing a clear line between his position and the corrupt practices of some leaders.
In response to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement’s request for collaboration on community development projects, Oba Alao assured them of his support.
“Your requests are aimed at the development of the Orile Igbon community. I am assuring you that necessary assistance will be provided in this regard.”
Earlier, Prophet Alogbo requested the monarch’s collaboration on a range of community development projects. These initiatives include the establishment of a women and youth empowerment center, clean drinking water initiatives, a bakery, animal production facilities, and farm produce processing.
Other proposals included a diagnostic and medical center, a full-size recreational sports facility, and a home care facility for the elderly.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that Nigeria’s unemployment rate increased to 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. The latest figures were disclosed in a report released by the NBS on Tuesday, marking an uptick from the 5.0 per cent recorded in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023.
According to the NBS, the unemployment rate for males stood at 4.3 per cent, while females experienced a higher rate of 6.2 per cent during the same period. The report also highlighted disparities based on location, with urban areas recording a 6.0 per cent unemployment rate compared to 4.3 per cent in rural areas for Q1 2024.
“The unemployment rate for Q1 2024 was 5.3%, showing an increase from 5.0% recorded in Q3 2023,” the bureau stated in its report. The NBS defines the unemployment rate as the percentage of the labour force, including both employed and unemployed individuals, who are not working but are actively seeking employment.
Youth Unemployment Rate Declines
In a positive development, the report indicated a slight drop in youth unemployment, which fell to 8.4 per cent in Q1 2024, down from 8.6 per cent in Q3 2023. This figure represents the unemployment rate among Nigeria’s young people, a demographic that often faces unique employment challenges.
Educational Attainment and Unemployment
The report further provided insights into unemployment rates based on educational attainment. Individuals with postgraduate education recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0 per cent, while those with post-secondary education faced a rate of 9.0 per cent. For people with secondary education, the rate stood at 6.9 per cent, and those with only primary education recorded a 4.0 per cent unemployment rate.
Employment-to-Population Ratio Falls to 73.2%
In addition to the unemployment data, the NBS also reported a decline in Nigeria’s employment-to-population ratio, a critical indicator of workforce participation. The ratio dropped to 73.2 per cent in Q1 2024, down from 75.6 per cent in Q3 2023. This ratio represents the percentage of the working-age population that is employed.
Breaking the data down by gender, the employment-to-population ratio for males was 74.2 per cent, while it was 72.3 per cent for females. By place of residence, urban areas had an employment-to-population ratio of 69.5 per cent, while rural areas recorded 78.9 per cent in Q1 2024, compared to 71.1 per cent and 80.7 per cent in Q3 2023, respectively.
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