President Buhari’s Eroding Democratic Values in Nigeria

To those who know a lot about political engineering and democratic manifestations, would admit that the president is in an effort mission to undermine democratic values in the country. The consequence of this experimental disintegration might be too severe to compensate if the trend is not discarded. The level of his impunity and disregard for the rule of law is not only shocking, but severe, and this has been diagnosed by democratic watchdogs all over the world including Amnesty International and the US State Department. And this endangered institution has been under severe attack since 2015.

Since 2015, Buhari has unleashed war on perceived enemies which some had termed ‘WITCH HUNTING.’ Never in the history of Nigeria, except under his former master, Abacha, has any president used law enforcement agencies for his personal political favours like Buhari is doing today that we sit in the arena of modern day democracy. We can only look at the Senator Dino Melaye’s case, a modern cult hero in Nigeria and a critic of the Buhari led administration, to see the cooperation and collusion between Buhari and these agencies of government. He is using them to attack and silence those who criticize the government by creating a dark climate of fear.

As if this is not enough, his absolute disregard of the separation of powers of the three arm of government has become a talking point on a likely Constitutional Crisis if not discouraged. A while ago, the president withdrew monies from the federation’s account to allegedly purchase military hardwares from the United States of America without consulting the nation’s National Assembly or seeking their constitutional approval. That’s a gross violation of the constitution which is an impeachable offense.

I think what people are worried about, taking examples from history, is that under Buhari, a one time dreadful dictator back in the 80s, Nigeria is again tittering towards autocracy and totalitarianism. What is happening now, if unchecked, would leave the country to move progressively towards having an all-powerful president, and when such a leader continue to engage in his undemocratic nuisances and there is no resistance from the people, his powers are further enhanced. And once he has these powers, he takes more undemocratic actions. (The gods that feed on blood are restless)

Most of Buhari’s action today are abnormal under democratic dispensation, especially the nascent version, and a lot of them are unprecedented and dangerous. No wonder the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Onnoghen said recently that any government disobeying court orders is inviting anarchy. He was referring directly to the government of President Buhari.

The law enforcement agencies ought to be apolitical. It’s under Buhari you will see law enforcement agents that are directly involved in the politics of the day, pitching tent with the ruling party to the chagrin of taxpayers. It is a democratic norm that their activities be under law, (not under political parties) including under the watch of the National Assembly’s oversight functions, as well as other basic values such as conflict of interest and government staying away from influencing their activities – all these are parts of the essential elements of the rule of law, which is key to any modern functioning democracy. But in Nigeria, what we have is a voodoo democracy.

There are listless undemocratic things happening in Nigeria today perpetuated by the government directly and indirectly but somehow, the infrastructure of justice, which are the courts and dissenting voices have been holding up thus far. Despite Buhari’s attacks, people have continued to speak up for and support democratic values and norms. It was the people who spoke against the illegal reinstatement of the criminal fugitive, Maina, before he was let loose from the civil service into the wild. Non-governmental organizations and other busybodies have been showing their displeasures, and to me, that’s a testament to justice.

Whether or not these violations of democratic values will continue would depend on what happens at the 2019 presidential polls. And the question of whether this violations will continue also depend on the continuous reactions of the sensitive people. I do not believe Buhari can dent our democracy forever even if he wins in 2019, which is unlikely though. For power is not eternal. But I think Buhari would continue now to violate these values as far as he is in power for self-interest. And if after 2019 he ends up badly, which is very likely, owing to his undemocratic values, and other infractions, then whoever will take over from him will be deterred from indulging in these things, and we might even witness a strengthening of these democratic values and its institutions.

What we are faced with today in Nigeria is a quiet radical and undemocratic negation and gross violation to which we hold President Buhari responsible for his dangerous and retrogressive high-stake experiment.

Elempe Dele