Sylvester Odion-Akhaine highlights the significant democratic advancements in Ghana compared to Nigeria over the past two decades. He notes the institutional strength of Ghana’s Electoral Commission and judiciary, revealing a pattern of electoral malpractice in Nigeria. The Professor identifies key issues impacting Nigeria’s democracy, including electoral rigging, human rights violations, ethnic division, and severe mismanagement of public funds.
Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, a distinguished Professor of Political Science and Human Rights Activist, asserts that Ghana’s democracy has advanced notably over the past two decades, outpacing Nigeria. He attributes this progress to Ghana’s dedicated institutional building, evidenced by enhancements in its electoral process and democratic practices. In contrast, Nigeria’s electoral institutions have largely failed to display similar resilience and impartiality in adjudicating electoral disputes.
During the 103rd Inaugural Lecture at Lagos State University, titled “Shifting For Good: The Weapon Of Empiricism In The Disorder Of A Third Wave Of Democracy In Africa,” Professor Odion-Akhaine emphasized the qualitative improvements in Ghana’s democracy versus the quantitative growth observed in Nigeria’s. He highlighted the importance of international support in establishing a peace council in Ghana that effectively mediates electoral conflicts.
The Professor further illustrated Ghana’s democratic evolution, noting power transitions between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New People’s Party (NPP) over four election cycles since 2000. In stark contrast, Nigeria has recorded only one significant transfer of power from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.
Odion-Akhaine identified four key pathologies afflicting Nigeria’s democracy. The first is the lack of free and fair elections, which he argues have been consistently rigged since 1999, compromising the principle of consent from the governed. He cited reports from Commonwealth observers regarding the 2007 elections, stating that the situation had severely deteriorated, leading to reforms initiated by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The second issue he raised involves chronic human rights violations that have persisted since 1999. He cited grievous events such as the Odi and Zaki Biam massacres, along with ongoing challenges posed by Boko Haram, which have severely impacted human rights conditions in the nation. The prevalence of identity politics has also continued to reshape the political landscape.
Thirdly, he referred to the enduring ethnic conflicts that define Nigeria’s voting behaviors. These identity-related issues have entrenched divisions among ethnic groups, influencing electoral outcomes considerably. Lastly, Odion-Akhaine pointed to the unprecedented mismanagement of public funds within Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, wherein considerable national income is squandered on recurrent expenditures, severely undermining capital investments and overall economic productivity.
He noted, “The bleeding of the national economy by public officials is aggravated by expenditures on public office holders and various affiliations. By some estimates, over 70 percent of national income is expended on recurrent expenditure to the detriment of capital expenditure.”
In summarizing these critiques, Odion-Akhaine’s analysis underscores the need for serious reforms in Nigeria’s democratic processes and governance structures to emulate the significant strides taken by Ghana in establishing a more robust democratic framework.
In conclusion, Professor Sylvester Odion-Akhaine’s commentary provides a detailed analysis of the disparate trajectories of democracy in Nigeria and Ghana. He attributes Ghana’s success to effective institutional practices that foster fair electoral processes, while Nigeria struggles with a legacy of electoral manipulation and governance failures. The stark contrast serves as a call for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s democratic system to enhance its legitimacy and functionality.
Original Source: businessday.ng
