A lawyer and governance expert, Joe Abah, has submitted that democracy has not delivered the full expected benefits in Nigeria and many other African countries.
He warned that many young Nigerians who have never experienced a properly functioning system may find military coups appealing, particularly given that they have witnessed recent coups in some West African nations.
Speaking on Wednesday on the theme, “Rebuilding Our Nation”, at The Platform Nigeria, an Independence Day event hosted by Covenant Nation Church in Iganmu, Lagos, Abah, however, lamented that military intervention damaged the country’s development process.
He argued further that Nigeria is not practising full democracy, as elements of military rule are still very much evident in the country’s democracy and even its constitution.
“Nothing damaged our progress as much as military rule did. Most of our constitutions since then have carried forward that over-centralisation.
“We now have a youth majority that has never seen a Nigeria that works. They see coups all around West Africa and are seduced by the idea.
“You can’t blame them, because democracy in Africa has simply not delivered the basics.
“We mean rule of law, food security, decent education, healthcare, opportunities for all, and a level playing field where women can compete,” he explained.
Naijaonpoint reports that Abah, who advocated for a restoration of the people’s faith in democracy, rejected arguments that a “benevolent dictator” could solve Nigeria’s problems.
He called on Nigerian leaders to embrace real governance and deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the country.
“Some young people will even tell you that what we really need is a benevolent dictator. Africa doesn’t produce them. We tend not to produce benevolent dictators,” he said.
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