Democracy in whose interest? (2)
Since independence in 1960, the road to economic development has been thorny and a painful one for Nigeria. Most of the initial development challenges that existed for decades – nepotism, religious intolerance, ethnic rivalry, illiteracy and poverty – still exist in 2016, while new ones have emerged. As I write, Nigeria is in economic recession with negative growth. The economic recession is the worst in decades, according to experts.
This has compelled political and economic analysts to initiate debates as to the causes of the recession. They are asking whether the presidential system of government that was erroneously copied from America is the cause of the nation’s economic backwardness. Their worries about our economic challenges are largely due to the fact that some industrialized nations are getting richer, while our country is getting poorer relatively and absolutely with time.
What could be responsible for the nation’s economic recession? Some Nigerians, including state and federal governments, erroneously believe that the price of oil in the international market is essentially responsible for decline in the nation’s economy. Conversely, others argue that policymakers have been using flawed theories to stimulate economic development. Some insist that restructuring the nation along political and economic lines is the answer to our challenges and that we must dialogue.
Though I share some of the sentiments expressed by these observers, the root causes of the problems are deeper than one can imagine. Most importantly, Nigeria copied partially a constitution without considering our own culture and peculiar circumstances as a nation. Maybe it was selfish interests or insufficient knowledge that inspired our rulers in 1999 to think that Nigeria could run a presidential system of government solely on rent from sale of crude oil.
The challenges before Nigeria today are not borne out of democratization but one of competence in national economic management; rationality and predictability in policy; acceptability and trust at home and abroad by the international investment community; respect for the rule of law; and accountability and transparency in governance.
In Nigeria, our politicians prefer to rule by impunity. When it is favourable and sufficient to satisfy their greed, they refer to the 1999 Constitution. When the political situation is not in their favour, they simply apply the “doctrine of necessity”. Most of our politicians do not realize that if there is one thing that distinguishes civilization from barbarism, it is the rule of law. Nigerians would have loved to live under a regime of laws, but we live under the rule of men corrupted by the law.
It is because politicians have decided to run the affairs of government by impunity that consumers of electricity pay increased tariffs for energy not supplied. Yet, everything appears normal. With impunity, extant regulations are not followed by the government and bureaucrats who made the rules. Although the rule of law is a safeguard against arbitrary power, impunity threatens social stability and it can lead to anarchy if not checked. With impunity, laws become suggestions. The effect of lack of democracy and the rule of law is the same whether a nation is developed or not.
Unfortunately, the presidential system which Nigeria chose does not permit only one man to run the government. It is a system of government which permits only the executive, the legislature and the judiciary to work harmoniously for the collective good of Nigerians. That is why I really pity Nigerians because all tiers of government are in motion without movement. It is the executive headed by President Buhari that is visibly seen. Lawmakers at the federal level are not helping matters as a few are immersed in various controversies – forgery, corruption, sex scandals, and “budget padding”. For the judiciary, they have been accused of slowing down the process of justice. Managing a society with these characteristics for economic development becomes a herculean feat in a democracy.
Who says Nigeria cannot be restructured? We are in a democracy and it must work for our collective good. It is suggested that Nigeria must be out of economic recession within 12 months. The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria may not take Nigeria out of its current economic challenges. Thus, Nigeria’s constitutional restructuring is imperative when Nigerians are not at war. Only two states – Lagos and Kano – out of the 36 states can survive briefly on their own without federal government intervention. I suggest that the federal government may wish to consider reducing the 36 states into 6 regions. State governors are waiting anxiously for the price of crude oil to rise in the international market. This will not happen soon. “Any governor who is waiting for rise in oil price will wait till thy kingdom come,” a friend in the oil industry told me.
This is the time for governments – federal, state, and local – to work together irrespective of political differences. When there is hunger of the magnitude the nation is facing today, all Nigerians must tackle it just like we did during the Ebola crisis. Political stability is very crucial for economic development. It is fundamental for long-term strategic decisions needed to transform the society, to introduce institutional reforms, and create an environment that will help attract local and foreign investors.
Consequently, I suggest that the 1999 Constitution must be revisited to make it legitimate considering its numerous imperfections. The federal government does not have the capacity to carry out all the 68 exclusive items conferred on it by the constitution. Efforts must be made to shed some of these responsibilities to states as bureaucracy slows the federal government. The states are finding it difficult to survive. We shouldn’t wait for hungry Nigerians to enter the streets of major cities in Nigeria protesting. If the federal government doesn’t listen to the call for restructuring, some state governors may start contravening statutory provisions of the 1999 Constitution because of the pressure on them by impoverished Nigerians. Those for restructuring say aye, those against it say nay. The ayes have it!
MA Johnson