Professor Sylvester Odion-Akhaine discusses the stagnation of Nigeria’s democracy compared to Ghana’s advancements, attributing it to institutional weaknesses and electoral misconduct. He highlights four major issues: rigged elections, human rights violations, ethnic identity politics, and financial mismanagement, warning that Nigeria’s political landscape is marred by corruption and inefficiency.
Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, a Professor of Political Science and Human Rights Activist, emphasizes that Ghana’s democracy has seen significant improvements compared to Nigeria’s stagnant political state. He attributes Ghana’s success to focused institutional building, which is reflected in advancements in the electoral process and the professional conduct of its Electoral Commission, Judiciary, and Security Agencies.
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”, Odion-Akhaine noted that Ghana has successfully enabled power transitions between its leading parties, NDC and NPP, across four election cycles since 2000. In contrast, Nigeria has only witnessed a notable power shift once, when the APC overtook the PDP in 2015.
He indicated that Nigeria’s democracy struggles due to a legacy of misconduct and lack of democratic integrity. He identified four major issues: first, the absence of free and fair elections, with reports from the Commonwealth Observers indicating that elections since 1999 have been largely rigged, undermining the democratic principle of the consent of the governed.
Second, he pointed out the persistent human rights violations experienced under various administrations since 1999, highlighted by severe incidents such as the Odi and Zaki Biam massacres, coupled with the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency.
Third, he referred to ethnic identity politics that continue to shape voter behavior and exacerbate social divisions. Lastly, he emphasized the mismanagement of public funds, which has characterized Nigeria’s fourth republic, creating a non-productive economy driven by corrupt political processes, where over 70% of national income is allocated to recurrent expenses instead of capital improvements.
The pervasive corruption, he noted, has led to a dire economic landscape, where political participation is primarily motivated by opportunities for economic exploitation rather than true public service.
In conclusion, Professor Sylvester Odion-Akhaine’s analysis starkly contrasts the democratic developments in Ghana and Nigeria, underlining the latter’s deteriorating political environment influenced by electoral fraud, human rights abuses, identity politics, and financial mismanagement. He advocates for substantial reforms to revitalize Nigeria’s democracy, drawing lessons from Ghana’s successes in strengthening institutional integrity and promoting peaceful transitions of power.
Original Source: businessday.ng
