By Uchenna Eletuo
Dr Olawale Adewale, a Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU), says having stronger institutions and democratic culture are critical to advancing Nigeria’s democracy.
The don made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, in commemoration of 2023 Democracy Day celebration on Monday.
According to Adewale, without reliable institutions and an enhanced democratic culture that the nation’s democracy would remain crude and development elusive
The political scientist, said that Nigeria was practicing quasi-democracy since 1999, added that stronger democratic institutions were needed to advance the system.
“If we must advance from the present civil rule to a vibrant democracy such as is practised in advanced democracies like Canada, U.S. and the United Kingdom, efforts should be made to strengthen bodies such as the legislature, judicial, electoral body, civil society organisations, police and civil public.
“These instructions known as democratic institutions provide the buffer need to safeguard democracy from the vagaries of individual or groups vested interest that can scrutle the system
“Development,unlike in other advanced democracies, has remain elusive in Nigeria because of the puesdo nature of our democratic system,” he said.
Adewale paid tribute to the late MKO Abiola, described him as a democrat and a signpost of Nigerian democracy.
He commended that the 1993 National Electoral Commission (NEC) led by Prof. Elochukwu Amaucheazi and later Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, all of whom were political scientists, for conducting one of the best elections in the country
According to him, such professional conduct cannot be associated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that midwifed the 2023 elections.
He expressed dismay at the disdain some political party bigwigs treated party tradition and thwarted party loyalty for some individual interest, adding that good internal party democratic culture, would always prop up better party standard bearers that would meet public aspirations.
He commended the nation’s media for its citizens’ political education during the just concluded general polls, and task the media to do more in holding state actors accountable to curb corruption and stir development.
NAN reports that, it was on June 12, 1993 that the presidential election adjudged to be the most free and fair in the annals of Nigeria, was annulled by the then Head of State , Gen. Ibrahim Babagida.
The election was contested by the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief MKO Abiola and the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Tofa.
The significance of the day made the Federal Government (FG) to declare it a public holiday to enable Nigerians reflect on the nation’s journey to democracy since the country returned to democratic governance in 1999.(NAN)