26 Years of Democracy: Has Nigeria Fulfilled Its Social Contract?

Lady E, a renowned advocate for good governance and human rights, shares her candid assessment of Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democracy. In this exclusive interview, she highlights the country’s struggles with economic growth, youth unemployment, digital infrastructure, and inclusivity in governance.

Economic Stagnation and Youth Unemployment

“Economically speaking, I don’t think we have moved in the inches that we deserve to be at,” Lady E laments. Millions of Nigerian youths are out of job, and the conversation around being a graduate has shifted from finding employment to “begging to survive.” The digital age has become a means to leverage life, exceed, and succeed, but Nigeria lacks the digital infrastructure to enable its young people to thrive.

She explains: “You go to other parts of Nigeria, Enugu, for example, that used to be known as a coal city has gone into oblivion. Yet, in China today, as we speak, they understood that every form of civilization that has ever happened, every form of industrialization that has ever occurred, was fully adopted and domesticated, all of which are in existence today across China. You will see where they allowed certain place to operate as cold energy driven centers. There are other places that are that are empowered by wind energy production.

There are also other places empowered by electric means of generating electricity. In other places they deploy the use diesel or CNG. In Nigeria, what do we have? How does it take a country 60 plus years, and we cannot, in one city in Nigeria, in one village in Nigeria, in one community in Nigeria, say that there is electricity, 24/7? A country like Nigeria with oil and gas, and we are rationing electricity?

Who does that? A country with so much high solar power compared to many other countries you can think of, and yet we are complaining about electricity. The recent electricity bill, a very good policy that was supposed to be domesticated by various state governments has not even been tapped into.

What are the various state government doing? And this is where the citizens ought to understand their role in governance. It means you engage the process,” she emphasised.

The Need for Inclusivity in Governance

Lady E emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in governance, citing Section 22 and Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, information, and access. She notes that countries like Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia, and Kenya have made significant strides in promoting inclusivity and good governance, allowing various parties and citizens to participate in the democratic process.

“We cannot use legal instruments like the cyber act crime to try to muzzle Nigerians. It’s about criminality. It’s about fraud online. It cannot affect the Nigerian constitution, section 22 and section 39 that makes it clear that every Nigerian has a right to express their opinion, because it is allowed, a situation where we are in a country where freedom of information, freedom of expression is being denied a citizen that is not a democracy,” she stated.

Defining the Value of a Nigerian

Lady E poses a critical question: “What is the definition of the value of a Nigerian?” The country’s divisiveness and insecurity indicate that Nigeria has not scratched the surface of understanding its citizens’ value. She advocates for a collective psychological acceptance that Nigeria is for Nigerians and that the definition and value of a Nigerian should be defined through the way security issues are treated.

“We have a situation where the psyche of a Nigerian has to be reviewed. What do I mean? The social psyche engineered and wired into us is that of the strong man mentality, the divide and rule mentality, and the winner takes it all mentality. We see it play in our politics as subtly but as penetrative as it can be.

In other words, when you create a society, a democracy that is defined by how much one person can take control of spaces, control of the mobilization, control of resources, control of power, then we are no longer having a democracy. We do not need to deceive ourselves on that.

In a country where gas mineral resources in the northern part of Nigeria where shipping a lot of lithium is the norm by a select group for selective profit. We’re also seeing the gas wastage in Delta State, for example, from Otujeremi in Urhoboland to Isokoland and Ndokwa. You see all of this waste happening”, she said.

The Importance of Good Governance

Good governance involves specific processes, policies, and frameworks that enable democracy to function. Lady E highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and rule of law, citing the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission’s data showing that the country’s respect for human rights is below par.

The Role of Citizens in Governance

Citizens must understand their role in governance, engaging the process, critiquing, and questioning. Lady E notes that the recent electricity bill, meant to be domesticated by state governments, raises questions about the various state governments’ actions. She emphasizes that citizens’ rights to express their opinions and access information must be protected.

Agriculture and Economic Development

Lady E stresses that Nigeria’s next generation should know that agriculture is elevated. However, the country lacks agricultural development, leading to food scarcity and expensive food prices. She questions how Nigeria, with its vast resources, cannot provide electricity, 24/7, to its citizens.

“We don’t have agriculture in this country. I mean, how do you have a country where food is scarce? Why is food so expensive? You look at the exchange rate in Nigeria and its direct impact on agricultural production, food export, and accessibility to millions of Nigeria below poverty line.

I mean, it’s a shame to us. You look at visas, you want to apply for visas to other countries, and you ask yourself, how did we get or how did I get to be in Nigeria, in a Nigerian space where I have to apply for visas to over 157 countries, or 127 countries, as the case may be, all because my government, the kind of governance we run in this country, makes us below par to others who should not even contest with us”, she lamented.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lady E’s assessment of Nigeria’s democracy highlights the need for good governance, inclusivity, and citizens’ engagement. The country’s struggles with economic growth, youth unemployment, and digital infrastructure require urgent attention. By understanding the value of a Nigerian and promoting good governance, Nigeria can move forward and provide a better future for its citizens.

Key Takeaways

1. Nigeria’s economy has not grown as expected, with millions of youths unemployed.
2. Inclusivity in governance is crucial, with citizens having the right to freedom of expression and access to information.
3. Good governance involves transparency, accountability, and rule of law.
4. Citizens must engage in the governance process and protect their rights.
5. Agriculture and economic development are essential for Nigeria’s growth.

By addressing these challenges and promoting good governance, Nigeria can work towards a brighter future for its citizens.