Evolving participatory democracy in Nigeria

Political fracture has always been a consequence of the inability of the system to accommodate mass views and enthusiasms; to tolerate the opinions of the people for whom the system is said to be existing in the first place. And most politicians have adopted the practice of abandoning the electorate immediately elections are over – […]

Political fracture has always been a consequence of the inability of the system to accommodate mass views and enthusiasms; to tolerate the opinions of the people for whom the system is said to be existing in the first place. And most politicians have adopted the practice of abandoning the electorate immediately elections are over – apart from a very few.

For instance, the Niger State governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (OON, Talban Minna) has cultivated the Jama’a Forum to demonstrate that the leadership needs not be far from the people. He had promised, at his inauguration on May 29th, 2007, to create ‘feedback stations’ where views, advices and complaints of the people will be received. He also pledged a Niger State People Forum (Niger Jama’a Forum) where the government and the people will come for discussions “under the tree or in halls” to rub minds. Four years down the line, one wonders how this promise has fared.

A year later, May 10, 2008, Dr Aliyu had, in a speech at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, told the audience that ‘participation is a key element in a democracy.  In his words:

“We need to understand that although there are general elements and principles of democracy – participation and inclusiveness, responsiveness, free and fair multi-party elections, freedom of speech and association, respect for human rights, observance of rule of law etc, there is no universal blueprint for development.  Development in my view, must be home-grown, home-made and targeted at improving the lives of the people.  Indeed, development must be people conscious and people-centred…”

In his opinion people must be able contribute in how they are being governed; they must be able to ask questions and intervene in the procedure.  They must choose what they want and how this could be realised.  While to some people water and electricity are principal problems, to others education is, or fertilizer to farmers, or problem of border security.  In some communities, Girl-Child Education is indeed a challenge, while roads and bridges constitute a peculiar concern to others.  People have diverse interests, and have special interest in the fulfilment of same from diverse perspectives.

To experience full participatory democracy, he maintains that some peculiar situations must exist.  These include (1) participatory arrangements, which need to be open at their foundation to everyone affected by such decisions; (2) the need for mutually agreed and openly negotiated rules to be upheld by everybody, and mechanisms for sanctioning deviants; (3) an enabling environment for participatory institutions and groups to monitor implementation of government’s decisions; and (4) a general sharing of knowledge.  To him, what is most important is what eventually brings “about good democratic practices that promote good governance to facilitate sustainable development in different settings”.

Aliyu Salai writes from Minna, Niger State.