The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, recently addressed the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy during The Platform Nigeria, a programme hosted by Covenant Nation in Lagos to mark Democracy Day 2024. He offered insights into why democracy appears to be in decline in Nigeria, despite its global reputation as the best form of government.
Lack of Foundational Philosophical Principles
Bishop Kukah emphasized that unlike European democracies, which are deeply rooted in the philosophical works of thinkers like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, Nigeria’s democracy lacks such foundational principles. He stated, “Unlike where the principles of democracy were founded on the thinking of several philosophers, our democracy has paid very little attention.”
Influence of Theological Scholars on Modern Democracy
Kukah highlighted the significant contributions of theological scholars like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas to modern liberal democracy. He noted that even U.S. President Joe Biden referenced St. Augustine in his presidential address, underscoring the deep-rooted philosophical and theological foundations of Western democracies.
Disconnect from Historical and Cultural Contexts
Kukah argued that Nigeria’s democratic framework does not align with the country’s historical, cultural, or anthropological experiences. This misalignment, according to him, is a primary reason for the current recession of democracy in Nigeria. “Unfortunately, our democracy is in decline, is in recession precisely because it is evident to us that what we are working with is not something that came from our own historical, cultural or even anthropological experiences,” he remarked.
Short-term Political Focus
The bishop also criticized the short-term focus of Nigerian politics, stating that citizens and politicians are too fixated on immediate political cycles, such as the 2027 elections, rather than long-term planning for the future. “Nigerians do not want to hear about what will happen in 2040 but all their attention is fixed on the politics of 2027,” he said.
Economic Mismanagement and Legislative Failures
Addressing the economic issues, Kukah acknowledged the global economic recession but pointed out that its impact is more severe in Nigeria due to mismanagement. He blamed Nigerian legislators for being more concerned with their salaries, benefits, and unnecessary foreign travels than their legislative duties. He argued that this neglect has led to poor financial discipline and excessive reliance on internal and external borrowing to fund projects.
Bishop Kukah’s speech at The Platform Nigeria highlighted critical issues plaguing Nigeria’s democracy and economy. He called for a deeper integration of Nigeria’s unique historical and cultural contexts into its democratic practices and emphasized the need for responsible and forward-thinking political and economic management.
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Written By Doris Chinwe Omemgbeoji