Professor Eugenia George-Genyi of the Political Science Department, Benue State University, Makurdi, has declared that there is no true practice of democracy in Nigeria.
George-Genyi made the declaration in a paper presentation at the 5th Annual National Conference of Nigerian Political Science Association held at the Federal University, Lokoja, on Tuesday.
The conference with the theme, ‘Democracy and Good Governance: Efforts, Results and The Way Forward’, was organised by the Noth Central Zone of the Association.
George-Genyi, who described democracy as the best system of governance world over, identified forces against its true practice in Nigeria as electoral malpractice, insecurity and compromise of the nation’s judiciary, amongst others.
“We have no alternative to democracy which must be guided jealously. None adherece to true democracy has seriously affected our system in entrenching good governance in Nigeria. However, we should guide against allowing military rule
“To build true democracy in Nigeria, we must embrace attitudinal change for the better in the conduct of democratic elections. We must strive to avoid cases of ballot box snatching, thuggery activities and declaration of fake results during elections,” she said.
The professor recommended liberal democracy as the most preferred system because of its concept of guaranteeing citizens rights and effective participation in governance.
“Liberal democracy also promote equality and liberty of all citizens as well as social justice. Improvement in Nigeria’s elections administration, provision of elections logistics, guide against insecurity and thuggery during elections will no doubt usher in true democracy and good governance in Nigeria
“Federal Government of Nigeria should as well ensure judicial independence and empowerment of anti-corruption agencies,” she added.
In his Key-note address, Vice Chancellor of Karl Kumm University, Vom in Plateau State, Professor Nanven Audu Gambo who was represented by Dr. Adebola Bakari, said that the theme of the conference would go a long way in stimulating and raising the interest of Nigerians on the way forward to install true democracy and good governance in the nation’s polity.
He called on the citizens of Nigeria and government at all levels to join hands in the fight so as to attract dividends of democracy that would enhance people’s living standard.
Chairman of the occasion, Professor Abubakar Olarenwaju Sulaiman, Director General of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja, represented by former Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Nuhu Yakubu, decried the prevailing electoral fraud bedeviling Nigeria.
He advised government to shun autocratic democracy and embrace liberal and socialist democracy.
“Presently, what we have is no democracy in Nigeria. I want to categorically say that we have no good governance as a result of this development,” he said.
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