REVIEWSNETWORK@AIT.NG |DEMOCRACY TODAY | MAY 28 2025

This video (see it here) is a May 28, 2025 episode of Democracy Today on AIT, discussing Nigeria's democratic journey, political developments, and upcoming events. Check out the highlight from the programme:

Nigeria's Democratic Journey

·       May 29, 2025, marks President Bola Tinubu's halfway point in his first term.

·       The 26th anniversary of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.

·       Reflections on past struggles for democracy, including sacrifices made by activists.

Interview with Abdul Oro

·       Abdul Oro, a former journalist, lawyer, and pro-democracy activist, shared insights on Nigeria’s democratic progress.

·       He discussed governance failures, corruption, and security challenges.

·       He emphasized the need for leadership accountability and citizen participation.

PDP National Executive Committee Meeting

·       The PDP held a meeting after over a year of internal conflicts.

·       Discussions focused on party restructuring and preparations for the 2027 elections.

·       Key figures, including Atiku Abubakar, were absent, fueling speculation about political realignments.

ECOWAS 50th Anniversary

·       President Tinubu attended the ECOWAS 50th anniversary in Lagos.

·       Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon was present.

·       Tinubu emphasized regional unity and economic cooperation.

Let’s Take The Conversation Further At This Point

While the programme covered Nigeria's democratic journey, governance challenges, and political developments, here are some possibly related subject matters we reckon you should also be interested in under the topic in review:

1. Democracy vs. Military Rule in Nigeria

·       Some analysts argue that Nigeria's democracy still carries remnants of military-style governance, with some elected officials operating with authoritarian tendencies.

·       The legacy of military rule continues to shape political decision-making, with concerns about civil liberties and governance transparency.

Nigeria has experienced both military rule and democracy, each with its own impact on governance and society. Military rule, which dominated Nigeria for several decades, was characterized by authoritarian leadership, centralized decision-making, and limited political freedoms. While some military regimes focused on infrastructure development and economic stabilization, they often suppressed dissent and curtailed civil liberties.

Democracy, on the other hand, offers a system where leaders are elected by the people, ensuring greater political participation and accountability. Since Nigeria transitioned to democratic governance in 1999, the country has seen improvements in freedom of speech, human rights, and institutional development. However, challenges such as corruption, electoral malpractice, and governance inefficiencies persist, leading some to argue that democracy has not fully delivered on its promises.

Interestingly, as already established in this article, some political analysts and citizens believe that Nigeria’s democracy still exhibits traits of military rule, with elected officials sometimes governing in an authoritarian manner. Issues like unfulfilled campaign promises, lack of transparency, and governance inefficiencies have led to debates on whether democracy has truly improved governance compared to military rule.

2. Women’s Representation in Governance

·       The Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) has raised concerns about the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political leadership.

·       A proposed Special Seats Bill aims to increase female representation in legislative bodies, addressing gender disparity in governance.

Women’s representation in governance in Nigeria remains significantly low, despite ongoing advocacy for gender inclusion. Currently, women occupy less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly, ranking Nigeria among the lowest in Africa for female political representation. Efforts to improve this include proposals for reserved seats for women, which advocates argue would enhance inclusivity and strengthen policymaking.

The Reserved Seats for Women Bill has gained support from key political figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who emphasized the importance of female participation in governance. Similarly, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has advocated for special seats for women in Parliament, citing Nigeria’s poor ranking—178th out of 182 countries—in global female representation.

Beyond legislative efforts, media organizations and advocacy groups are pushing for greater visibility of women in politics. The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) have committed to amplifying women’s voices in governance, recognizing that media coverage plays a crucial role in shaping public perception.

Despite these efforts, challenges such as cultural constraints, financial limitations, and systemic exclusion continue to hinder women’s political participation. Advocacy groups like the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) are working to enforce the 35% Affirmative Action policy, which mandates a minimum percentage of women in appointive and elective positions.

3. Economic Challenges and Democracy

·       The World Bank recently reported that poverty rates among rural Nigerians have surged to 75%, with projections of further economic decline by 2027.

·       Economic hardship and rising unemployment pose serious threats to democratic stability, as citizens struggle with inflation, insecurity, and governance failures.

Nigeria faces significant economic challenges that impact its democratic governance. The country has struggled with high inflation, unemployment, and poverty, despite efforts to stabilize the economy. President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the difficulties, stating that his administration's reforms are beginning to show progress, with inflation easing and staple food prices declining. However, many Nigerians still face economic hardship, and opposition parties argue that the government has failed to deliver meaningful relief.

One major economic challenge is the removal of fuel subsidies, which led to a sharp increase in living costs. While the government claims this move was necessary to prevent corruption and free up resources for development, it has caused widespread financial strain. Additionally, Nigeria's reliance on oil revenues makes its economy vulnerable to global price fluctuations, highlighting the need for diversification.

Democracy in Nigeria has also faced hurdles, with concerns about governance inefficiencies, corruption, and political instability. The Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), launched by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to strengthen democratic institutions and promote inclusive governance across West Africa. However, opposition parties, such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to stifle opposition and move toward a one-party system.

Despite these challenges, Nigeria continues to push for economic and democratic reforms. The government has pledged to improve security, reduce corruption, and create jobs, but public dissatisfaction remains high. The balance between economic stability and democratic governance will be crucial in shaping Nigeria’s future.

4. Legacy of Raymond Dokpesi and Media Freedom

·       A posthumous colloquium honoring Raymond Dokpesi, a pioneer of private broadcasting in Nigeria, is set to discuss democratic decline and media freedom.

·       The role of independent media in holding leaders accountable and protecting press freedom remains a crucial aspect of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

Raymond Dokpesi was a pioneering figure in Nigerian media, best known for founding Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM. His contributions significantly shaped the country’s media landscape, promoting press freedom and independent journalism.

Dokpesi’s legacy is deeply tied to his commitment to freedom of speech. Through AIT, he provided a platform for diverse voices, challenging government narratives and advocating for transparency in governance. His work helped establish private media as a powerful force in Nigeria, breaking the monopoly of state-controlled broadcasting.

Despite his influence, media freedom in Nigeria continues to face challenges. Journalists often encounter censorship, harassment, and political pressure, particularly when reporting on sensitive issues. While private media outlets like AIT have played a crucial role in holding leaders accountable, restrictive laws and government interference remain obstacles to full press freedom.

Dokpesi’s impact extends beyond media—he was also a philanthropist and political strategist, contributing to national discourse in various capacities. His passing on 29 May 2023 marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues to inspire efforts toward a more open and independent press in Nigeria.

What in your view would have been desired responses to these other perspectives?

If the programme episode had explored these alternative perspectives, some key figures or stakeholders might have responded as follows:

Democracy vs. Military Rule in Nigeria: Political analysts and historians could have weighed in on the lingering influence of military-era governance on Nigeria’s democracy. A strong response might acknowledge that while Nigeria has enjoyed 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, there is still a lack of true civilian control, with remnants of military-style leadership affecting policymaking. A progressive viewpoint would encourage reforms to strengthen civilian institutions and ensure democratic ideals are upheld.

Women’s Representation in Governance: Women’s rights activists might have demanded stronger legislative backing for gender inclusivity in politics. Given Nigeria’s historically low female political participation, a desired response would have been a firm commitment to affirmative action—possibly referencing successful models in countries like Rwanda, where constitutional amendments boosted female political representation. A strong position from political leaders would be a pledge to implement a "Women’s Special Seats Bill" to bridge gender gaps in Nigerian politics.

Economic Challenges and Democracy: Economists and development experts could have pushed back on the government's economic policies, highlighting the direct link between poverty rates, unemployment, and democratic stability. A solid argument would stress that without economic security, democracy risks becoming ineffective, leading to civil unrest and disillusionment with governance. A proactive response from leadership would have involved proposing immediate economic relief measures, such as job creation initiatives and social welfare expansion.

Media Freedom & Raymond Dokpesi’s Legacy: Press freedom advocates could have emphasized the need for stronger protections for journalists, especially given past crackdowns on dissent. The government, ideally, would have responded by committing to revise restrictive laws—such as the Cybercrime Act—which has been used against investigative journalism. A desired reaction from civil society would be renewed calls for independent media protection, ensuring journalists can report without fear of harassment.

However, while the programme episode covered Nigeria’s democratic journey, governance challenges, and political developments, a few additional perspectives perhaps, could have been explored e.g.:

1. The Role of Civil Society in Strengthening Democracy

·       The legacy of pro-democracy activists like Raymond Dokpesi continues to shape Nigeria’s political discourse.

·       Civil society groups have been pushing for electoral reforms, including Yiaga Africa’s call for a Voting Bill to improve transparency.

2. Economic Hardship and Public Sentiment

·       President Tinubu’s administration claims to have rescued Nigeria from economic collapse, citing GDP growth and policy reforms.

·       However, opposition parties argue that poverty and inflation have worsened, leading to public dissatisfaction.

3. Security Challenges and Regional Stability

·       The PDP National Executive Committee condemned rising insecurity, including banditry and terrorism.

·       ECOWAS leaders at the 50th anniversary event discussed regional security, but critics argue that West Africa still faces instability.

4. Media Freedom and Press Challenges

·       The Cybercrime Act has raised concerns about press freedom, with journalists facing harassment and censorship.

·       The Dokpesi Colloquium aims to address democratic decline and media independence, highlighting the importance of free speech.

Public Opinion

Public reactions to the video and subject matters discussed on the programme have been mixed, reflecting Nigeria’s diverse political landscape:

1. Nigeria’s Democratic Journey

·       Some commentators have praised Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, acknowledging the sacrifices made by activists.

·       Others argue that democracy has not delivered tangible benefits, citing economic hardship, insecurity, and governance failures.

2. PDP National Executive Committee Meeting

·       The PDP’s internal conflicts have sparked debate on party unity. Some believe the party is too fractured to mount a strong challenge in 2027.

·       Others see the meeting as a step toward reconciliation, though concerns remain about Atiku Abubakar’s absence and the formation of a coalition.

3. President Tinubu’s Two-Year Progress Report

·       Tinubu’s May 29 speech emphasized economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange restructuring.

·       While some Nigerians support these policies, others criticize them for worsening inflation and poverty.

4. ECOWAS 50th Anniversary

·       Tinubu’s speech at the ECOWAS event highlighted regional unity and economic cooperation.

·       Some analysts argue that ECOWAS has failed to address security challenges, particularly coup attempts in West Africa.