What President Bola Tinubu Shall Tell The Global Democratic And Economic Stakeholders:  Democratic Pessimism Seems To Be In Existence In Nigeria

By Abbati Bako,psc,bsis, Kent-alumni,UK’s European University

Democratic system is getting weaker in Nigeria because of the serious economic aridity and security challenges. This writing understands that ordinary Nigerians are in serious worries because of the fact that poverty is biting harder. Therefore, the love of democracy is losing ground in Nigeria.

Hence, if care is not taken, less than 10% of registered voters will participate in elections in the years to come. Voters are confused and perplexed about democracy. So, global political, economic and social stakeholders must be alerted to the losing hope and aspiration on democracy because of the economic crunch in Nigeria. Also, internal stakeholders must know and find permanent economic solutions and the solutions of insecurity.

The World Bank/IMF have warned Nigeria that the country will be in fourth economic position before the end of the year 2024. Nigeria is currently the first largest economy in Africa with $511B GDP and seconded by South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria and other Nations of Africa. But by the end of the year 2024 it has been projected that South Africa will supersede Nigeria then will be followed by Egypt and Algeria. President Bola Tinubu’s government must put more effort to maintain the position of Nigeria as the African largest economy.

*The example of India—

India is the global largest democracy with over 900 m registered voters out of more than 1.4+B people. India is a very huge country and currently the most populous country in the world and seconded by China. And again, India is among the 10 most viable global economies despite their huge population. Political Democracy seems to be excellently ongoing for the past more than seven decades and India is also a British colony like Nigeria and their democracy and economy is tremendously progressing without difficulties.

Experts assert that India may supersede China and America in an economic interplay before the year 2050. Why and how? Because they have patriotic leadership, zeal, dedication, ready to lead, intellectualism, sincerity, accountability and consistency in leadership. India is a beautiful country.

*The example of Nigeria-

Nigeria’s democracy seems to be in the condition of being pessimal. In the year of 1999 when the country began to try to be a democratic nation about 52.3% of registered voters voted for their representatives in various positions for the country’s return to democratic system.

Meaning, from the position of President to other positions, such as Governors, Senators, members of House of Representatives, States Assembly and so on. Democracy was then a darling in Nigeria and accepted by all.

But in the election’s year of 2019 the registered voters in Nigeria only 35.66% voted for such various positions as mentioned above. And again, in the election’s year 2023 only 26.72% of voters participated.

Example, in 2015 former President Muhammad Buhari won the presidential election with 15,424,921m votes. On the other hand in the election’s year of 2023 presidential election the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the election with 8,794,726m votes; meaning, only 26.72% registered voters participated in the presidential election and others.

This means that in 1999 about 52.3% of voters participated in the democratic elections in Nigeria based on the hope that Nigeria would be a better country on democratic system politically, economically and socially like India, Brazil, or other 30 global economic emerging nations.

Unfortunately, the reverse is the case. Because of the fact that security challenges and stagflation which created economic precarity and melting economy as well as serious inflation that affects almost every citizen in the country. What will be the solutions and way out for the lingering political and economic hardship in Nigeria before the year 2027?
Peoplesmind