To paraphrase a poignant saying in my village, "when you point a finger accusing others of corruption or constitutional infractions, for example, you forget that there are three fingers pointing directly at yourself." We observed this proverb in action when leaders of ECOWAS were pointing fingers at the unconstitutional act of the coupists in Niger and elsewhere lately.
In any case, given the democratic praxis of African politicians after the return to democracy following several years of military rule, many political observers–not to mention political scientists–were and are incensed by the selfish activities of politicians in the governance of their polities. Clearly, it seems, most leaders wanted political power to economically enrich themselves just like some leaders of the military cabals did while in power. Probably, the only difference between the military and political actors was that there were fewer officers who plundered the national coffers.
Today, in much of Africa, it has become abundantly clear that the clamor "We Want DEMOCRACY and Will Fight to Protect it" is hollow and used by political leaders as a MASK to appease their supporters in the Occident–some of whom play along with African leaders to promote their national interests. To be sure, many observers, and especially political scientists, have been pleading with African leaders to implement the template of democracy provided by students of democracy in order to promote democratic consolidation. The major appurtenances of this model are::
CONDUCTING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS
RESPECTING THE RULE OF LAW
Protection of minority rights
Separation of powers
Respecting the due process of law
Encouraging more than one political party
Implementing an efficacious constitutional document (whose tenets must be respected)
INSISTING ON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY (AND TRANSPARENCY)
RESPECTING FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
INSTITUTING AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY
Simple or straightforward as this framework is, it has been difficult for most African politicians to execute it in their contestation for power because to do so might work against their group/self-interest of capturing power and the lucrative dividends that flow from controlling the government and the national treasury. In this circumstance and political duel between political parties, "the end justifies the means–" i.e. the party (ruling party in the case of Africa) must win at all costs regardless of the means by which the victory is won.
Sadly, political actors recruit the poor and marginalized citizens to "sacrifice" their lives for the benefit of their political patrons. Even after these political entrepreneurs have "rigged" their ways into power in elections, they deliberately ignore their clients in the formulation of policies needed to exonerate their clients from penury while enriching themselves. Afterall, how can there be rich folks without the poor folks to admire them for their wealth. This scenario reminds me of what happened about a week ago when I saw one of the ministers in the current administration of Nigeria being driven into the FCT in a convoy and a display of "stupendous pomposity" in a country in which over half of her population can hardly afford two meals a day. The flamboyant show of opulence by some politicians and civil servants today makes me yearn for the "good old days" when officials were required to drive the ubiquitous "symbolic" peugeot cars during formal duties.
As an observer of African politics from the 60s to the present, (and four republics in the case of Nigeria and Ghana, for instance), I have been worried (and probably this is true of other observers) about the kind of Africa that our current leaders wish to bequeath our children and grandchildren. Many fora, international organizations, political leaders, and colleagues have expressed their opinions on how to solve our political, economic, and social problems in Africa. Regrettably, they have not been quite successful. Thus, our political leaders continue to lead us from "frying pan to fire," and wonder why the atavism or recurrence of military coups.
A few years ago, I wrote a volume titled Leadership and the Problem of Electoral Democracy in Africa: Case Studies and Theoretical Solutions. In this work I stressed, among other issues, the problems of electoral malfeasance conspicuously engineered by political leaders, some of which we witnessed recently in Nigeria, Gabon, and Zimbabwe, for example. I have just completed work on a similar volume that concentrates on the constitution, human rights and democratic consolidation in Africa in which Zimbabwe is one of my case studies. The outcome of my current research suggests that nothing much has changed from my earlier book, Leadership and the Problem of Electoral Democracy in Africa… With few exceptions, it seems as if plus ca change, plus c'est la même chose (the more things change, the more they stay the same – partly because we continue recycling the same old leaders). It was in light of my research that I was concerned with the opinion of a popular Zimbabwean on Arise News (of 8/31/23) when she was defensive of the problematic outcome of the recently held election in Zimbabwe that mimicked the elections in Nigeria and Gabon. Indeed, as in Nigeria's political tradition and notable parlance, she vexatiously declared on the program that the opposition party should "Go TO COURT" in the wake of the contentious announcement of the incumbent President Emmerson Mnangawa of the ruling party ZANU-PF as the winner of the poll. The ZANU-PF has been in power for over four decades.
In light of my preceding discourses and opinions, what is to be done?
1. We need leadership by example (to quote one of former President Obassanjo's famous shibboleths).
2. Leaders should pay attention to the wise counsels of our academics (many of whom have spent several years studying, writing, presenting papers on Good Governance, and ways to deepen democracy. For example, revisit Professor Toyin Falola's recent admonitions on the consequences of BAD GOVERNANCE featured on Arise News. Professor Jibrin Ibrahim and other famous African scholars (e.g. Professor Wole Soyinka, Professor Ngugi wa Thiong'o, the late Professor Chinua Acheber, etc.) have demonstrated their patriotism by suggesting ways to deepen democracy and good governance in African societies in their audacious works.
3. Leaders should bear in mind that they are elected to serve the people. Accordingly, they are "servants" and not masters of the citizens. As servants, they should learn to listen and be "humble" to their citizens (their boss).
4. Our leaders should be conversant with the preceding democratic template and their nation's constitution. Orientation programs will be useful.
5. Our political superintendents should respect citizens' or peoples' human rights. Human rights tenets are enshrined in both constitutional-cum-national and international human rights instruments.
6. Our news media in Africa must continue with their courageous mission of promoting democracy in the continent by applying their investigative skills no matter "whose ox is being gored."
7. Our weak political and administrative institutions must be reformed and strengthened.
8. There is a need to revisit the constitution of some African Countries. The need for a new constitution in the case of Nigeria, in my judgment, is imperative! And, the production of a new constitution to supersede the "military" constitution should be followed by a national referendum. The new constitution should be driven by the interests of the citizens.
9. African leaders should note that "A society that cannot help the many who are poor cannot save the few that are rich (President John Kennedy)."
In all, African leaders should take special note of the proverb "a stitch in time saves nine" as we wrestle with our contemporary complex political issues and work assiduously and collaboratively (mobilizing our human capital and abundant natural resources) toward an African renaissance in the 21st century.
Aluta continua for DEEPENING DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA!!!
Ike Udogu
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