Nigeria is an Example of a Fragile Liberal democracy

Democracy is a concept used in many countries, with elections acting as the intermediary expression of the electoral process. The democratic mechanism is a method for selecting individuals to represent the whole state. Elections may serve as a confirmation or recognition of the government's efforts to popularize it and motivate people to engage in development activities (Olojede par. 4-6). However, in a western democracy, the voting process, among other aspects, helps to unite voters, act as a means of transparency, and foster legitimacy. The survival of the liberal variant of democracy is possible through competitive political elections (Akhakpe pp.112-235). Nigeria is a West African country that has faced a lot of political violence that has been caused by hotly contested polls which have resulted in the creation of a state of instability. The unstable political atmosphere has created a state of insecurity that has allowed other forms of societal injustices to prevail in the country such as the Boko Haram Sect, corruption, underdevelopment, killings, kidnapping, poverty among other things (Olojede par. 2-4).



The role of elections in a fragile liberal democracy

Political societies are managed by a democratic framework which incorporates polls as its core building block. They are a tool of accountability, political choice, and mobilization. In the unipolar world, liberal democracy has become the most widely applied type of democracy, and in this context, the purpose of elections is to ensure that there is a smooth transition of leadership from one civilian administration to the next and at the same time legitimizing the newly formed governments (Akhakpe pp.112-235). In a situation where there is no crisis in a democratic system, political violence is solved or managed peacefully. These democratic systems promote the prospect for peace, continuity in government, political stability, and peace. However, when the elections are marked with thuggery, rigging, ballot stuffing and snatching, intimidation, violence and other types of election malpractices, the nation’s security will be compromised as the credibility of the democratic process will be questioned.

The core functions of modern states are to ensure that the living conditions of its occupants are improved, and the territorial integrity of the lives, property, and state of its citizens are protected. It is evident from the past historical data on political violence that the accumulation of weapons by the country’s security agencies such arms and ammunition does not result in political stability, peace, and security (Olojede par. 4-6). The key to a permanent countrywide security is held by sustainable development programs such as eliminating disease, hunger, and poverty. Therefore, a state that channels a lot of resources to ensure that there is the human security within its boundaries ends up spending less money and efforts in dealing with crimes such as bombing, political assassinations, kidnapping, human trafficking, student unrest among other social evils. In Nigeria, most of this social injustices are present (Olojede par. 4-6).

Politicians and democracy in Nigeria

The significant challenges to development and democracy in Africa have been the political leadership. In fact, the post-independence politicians have been anything than beneficial to a countries growth. The African politicians have been wasteful, corrupt in political and economic management and distributive rather than productive. Nigeria has had these types of leaders for a long time who have contributed to the political instability in the country. These leaders have been the primary cause of Nigeria’s problems. Human security in this West African state is under threat because of the leader's characters which predict a future security threat to all citizens (Adekunle par. 1-4). The political elite in Nigeria lacks the discipline and hegemony to engender political and socio-economic stability.

During the elections in Nigeria, politicians have repeatedly shown disregard to the role of elections in creating national security and democratic sustenance. In fact, most of the ruling elite have not fully embraced the purpose of general elections in a country with a liberal democracy. The political elite has been selfish by considering their interest above those of the citizens they are supposed to uphold. The Nigerian politicians rarely play the rules of competitive electoral politics which emphasize on politics of consensus, tolerance, conflict, compromise, and bargaining. The elite associate elections with political disorder and gangsterism where elections period becomes a battlefield. The political groups in the country view the electoral landscape as an opportunity to go to war with other political parties where the mentality is that of either winning the war or getting exterminated by the opponent instead of supporting inclusion (Adekunle par. 1-4). The prevailing pattern of electioneering and elections is setting a dangerous precedent, and there is a high chance that if the pattern continues, the Nigerian state might tear apart thereby putting its tenuous peace at high risks (Olojede par 1-6).

The aftermath of 2011 elections

In 2011, Nigeria went to the polls to choose a new president. People flocked into the street corners, under trees, buildings among other places to cast their vote despite the unstable political atmosphere in the country due to consistent fighting between the government and militias. The people of Nigeria had a hope of obtaining a peaceful solution to the civil strife. Many people had an unusual dream of making a difference with their votes. Goodluck Jonathan was selected as the new president of the country which marked a significant milestone one in which the state had succeeded in passing power to three governments in sixteen years (Ewi pp. 207-231). During this time, the nation held four elections which were conducted after every four years and there was no single day a rifle was aimed at anyone to assert power. The three presidents who served during this period were able to amicable transfer power to their predecessor (Adebayo pp. 200-230).

However, after the 2011 elections, the stability of Nigeria was threatened because of the results if the polls were not accepted by General Buhari who was a retired general in the army. His party, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) openly rejected the result and stated that their candidate was the winner of the poll. The disagreement on who won resulted into a court petition which created a situation where the country lacked a government to protect its citizenry. Consequently, miscreants and political jobbers realized the gap in the governance of the country and started creating a state of insecurity by sanctioning and supporting communal violence and a series of bombings in various regions located in the northern part of the nation. The unstable state of the country created an opportunity for groups which were unsatisfied with the way the country was led to unleash violence to all people. Boko Haram caused a lot of sufferings for the ordinary citizens through the spate of bombings in various parts of the north (Ewi pp. 207-231). Therefore, the country faced the political uncertainty that has progressed up to this day where the sect has conducted many inhumane activities such as abductions, rape, killings among other crimes against humanity. Therefore, a fragile democracy can affect the stability of a state where lack of a government may trigger the spread of violence from various groups which want to acquire power through undemocratic means as evidenced by the Nigerian situation.

Liberal democracy and multi-party system

Liberal democracy has aided the creation of ethnic- communal cleavages, political violence and religious strives in many of the African states including Nigeria. Despite the thirty years of applying liberal democracy in Nigeria, its citizens are still yet to reap the benefits of multi-party elections as the expected gains have not been realized in the lives of Nigerian citizens (Odion-Akhaine pp. 129-213). In fact, multi-party elections have resulted in less development and more insecurity in the country instead of developing solutions to such challenges. There is a direct relationship between the crisis of underdevelopment and multi-party elections in many African states (Odion-Akhaine pp. 129-213). The elections in Nigeria have always had the characteristics of being hotly contested between two candidates and in 2011, the situation was the same with two main candidates from two parties namely the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the People’s Democratic Party.

The fight for the seat between Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP and Retired General Muhammadu Buhari of the CPC was fought both on the ground and in the courts with the presidential petition filed by Buhari contesting the results of the general elections. The Supreme Court in its judgment declared that Goodluck Jonathan and his Vice, Namadi Sambo had worn the polls in a fair way and that there was no violation of the electoral law. According to a judgment read by the lead judge, “it is trite law that he who asserts must prove. It is only then that the burden will shift to the person whom allegations of non-compliance are made against…” (Ewi pp. 207-231). In retaliation to the judgment, Buhari stated that the court’s decision was “politically motivated and had little legal content.” (Ewi pp. 207-231).

In many parts of the world, liberal democracy is preferred because it is assumed to offer a practical solution to the conflicts between groups emanating from the democratic process. However, the benefits of liberal democracy are yet to be witnessed in Nigeria. Majority of the population is living in abject poverty as the ethnic-religious conflicts continue to progress. Although there is a widespread expectation that a solution will be realized through a democratic process, the solution is yet to be achieved (Ewi pp. 207-231).

Negative effects to the economy

The 2011 disputed presidential elections are the cause of insecurity and political unrest that has engulfed some regions of the Northern part of Nigeria. In fact, the current government headed by Buhari is fighting an unending battle with the Boko Haram Sect. Therefore, it is evident that the politics of compromise and bargaining, accommodation, and tolerance are still yet to be applied to the current political system. The political and socio-economic development of the nation faces a lot of obstacles which are as a result of the aftermath of the 2011 elections. The insurgency group situated in the north had caused the death of many Nigerians and loss of property. The economy is negatively affected by the violent activities of the Boko Haram which has detonated bombs in strategic locations of the country thereby resulting in the departure of many foreign firms for fear of their lives and loss of investment (Adekunle par. 1-4).. The situation was illustrated by the head of Nigeria’s Central Bank who stated that

“The current spate of Bombings across the country by terrorist groups alludes to the fact that our business environment is becoming more and more threatened. Therefore, there is need to urgently develop a framework that will enable us to respond to any crisis effectively and thus safeguarding lives and properties and ensuring stability and growth in our economic system” (Adekunle par. 1-4).

Role of civil society in a democratic country

It is important to note that the developed countries are greatly influenced by the civil society which dictates the process and dominates the economy. Additionally, the civil society determines who get to win an election depending on the programs and policies presented by the candidates. However, there is a sharp difference when compared to developing nations where the private sector does not exert a lot of influence thereby exposing the civil society to public sector control. A state that is governed by an inefficient government cannot realize either gradual or rapid growth (Odion-Akhaine pp. 129-213).

Role of corruption in creating a fragile democracy

Corruption has been the cause of poverty in the society, and it has reduced the benefits of democracy. Additionally, it has made the civilian rule to be fragile. Nigeria’s Fourth Republic has been plagued by corruption which has continued to affect both the private and public sections of the nation. The country has been faced with an avalanche of accusations, claims of embezzlement and allegations at all levels of government that is at the federal, state and local level. The country has lost billions of Naira which have found their way into private bank accounts owned by public officials (Akhakpe pp. 112 - 235). The local authorities are tasked with spearheading development at the grassroots level. However, the local administration has been associated with looting, misappropriation of funds and stealing. According to a recent survey, “the system of Local government administration has been plagued by a lack of transparency and accountability” (Adekunle par. 1-4). The above criminal acts by public officials result in the creation of social insecurity in the country which can be used by other groups to compromise the current democratic environment in Nigeria.





Conclusion

In a liberal democratic model, the winner of an election takes it all while the loser is vanquished thereby creating an environment that supports the creation of election crisis. Each politician in the race wants to be in power and thus creating a “do or die” situation. In this types of cases, the pressure from both sides of the political divide is too high for the electoral body that manages the election process to play within the rules. If the political solution reached in the 2011 polls is to go by with, then it is evident that tolerance and the right political will can result in a beneficial learning process. The Northern region of the country has seen most of the fighting that has resulted in the death of many civilians and soldiers alike. The multi-party system characterized by a liberal democracy has resulted in sharp differences between political parties which have turned the electoral process into a battlefield with each side of the political divide relentlessly fighting to acquire the control of the country.



References

Adebayo, A. "Elections and NIgeria's National Security." Albert, I. Democratic Elections and NIgeria's National Security. Ibadan: John Archers Ltd, 2011.

Adekunle. Why Democracy is fragile in Africa. 15 April 2012. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/why-democracy-is-fragile-in-africa/amp/. 24 October 2017.

Akhakpe, I. "The Challenges of electoral Administration in Nigeria." The Journal of Constitutional Development 8.2 (2008): 112-235.

Ewi, Martin. "Was the Nigerian 2015 presidential election a victory for Boko Haram or for democracy." Journal of African Security Review 24.2 (2015): 207-231.

Odion-Akhaine, S. "Liberal democracy, the Democratic Method anf the Nigerian 2007 Elections." Journal of Asian and African Studies 44.6 (2009).

Olojede, Dele. "Fair Vote, Fragile Future." The New York Times 21 April 2011: par. 2-6. .