Economic hardship may derail democracy in Nigeria, political scientists warn

 

 

.Say security, welfare of citizens side-lined by successive govts

 

.Demand political will, appropriate policies to tackle challenges

 

GBENGA OLARINOYE, Ilorin.

 

The Nigerian  Political Scientists Association ( NPSA) took a cursory look at the political situation in the country and concluded that Nigeria is in the throes of a governance crisis that straddles the political and economic spheres.

The association in a statement signed by its president, Prof. Hassan Saliu and made available to newsmen  in Ilorin, Kwara State, said  the crisis

threatens the livelihood of majority of Nigerians  and the stability of the nation.

“It(crisis)  appears to

be at its worst point since its( Nigeria)  transition to democratic rule in 1999,” it added.

It noted that though the country has been able to

conduct regular and periodic elections after turning away from decades of authoritarian military rule,

democracy has not translated into inclusive growth because the security and welfare of citizens have been side-lined by successive elected governments.

It added that:”  If anything, there has been a worsening of development

outcomes as indicated by deepening multi-dimensional poverty. Currently, we are witnesses to spontaneous public outcries and demonstrations in protest of rising cost of

living as major government policies fuel inflation, while eroding the purchasing power of ordinary

Nigerians.

“Surviving a bitterly fought General Elections in 2023 with ethno-regional divisive undertones, it

is expected that the mantra of national unity and elite consensus on major policy issues would take the

centre stage. But what the country has witnessed is a dramatic worsening of living conditions that

generates apprehension in citizens regarding the prospect of national stability and the achievement of

decent and dignified life. We are witnesses to the free fall of the country’s currency, leading to exponential

increase in the costs of imported goods. Food prices have skyrocketed due partly to the increase in the

pump prices of petrol. The steep decline in real wages and growing insecurity in cities and on the highways

have created a sense of helplessness among Nigerians.”

The association noted that these developments  have plunged the middle class and the urban poor into conditions of a Hobbesian nightmare of

huge proportions.

“The spiral of uncertainty, exacerbated by the complicit role of the legislature at both

national and sub-national levels in its failure to reign in the executive branch, all point to a looming severe

legitimacy crisis capable of derailing our struggling democracy or bring it to immense grief.

“The Nigerian Political Science Association(NPSA) having reflected on the chains of events that have

unfolded in the past few months, and in keeping with her mandate to continually audit the performance of

the Nigerian state in fulfillment of its obligations to Nigerian citizens, and in furtherance of the

imperatives of public accountability, consistent with the expectations of a democracy, issues this statement on ‘The Unbearable Cost of Living in Nigeria.

“The nation is experiencing a rapid escalation in the cost of living, which is unparalleled and concerning. This rise is attributed to various issues, such as the significant decline in the real sectors of the economy, the sharp increase in food prices due to the elimination of fuel subsidy, and the escalation in the operations of non-state armed groups, each with distinct regional characteristics. The situation at hand is

both fascinating and disquieting.

“The nation is currently utilizing more funds than its entire revenue to

manage its public debts, resorting to borrowing from both domestic and foreign sources to finance its

national budgets. In addition, the country is struggling to fulfill its OPEC quota of 1.8 million barrels of crude oil daily, with nearly 700,000 barrels being lost daily to oil theft.

“Although these challenges may seem predominantly economic in nature, addressing  them effectively demands a combination of political determination and carefully crafted public policies.

NPSA, however, said that despite its limitations in terms of overall performance, democracy in Nigeria still offers a more hopeful prospect for comprehensive growth and development than any conceivable alternative.