By Adamu Gwazuwang
At this point in the quest for a stable and development-oriented democratic dispensation in Nigeria we must confront the demons haunting the process with a strong determination to move forward without recurring hitches. Since democracy has proved to be sustainable and progressive enough to be the most acceptable system of government across the world, our problems with the system must be peculiar to us.
In fact, our latest failure to derive the dividends associated with democracy, particularly the delivery of good governance driven by the expressed aspirations of the majority of citizens, has exposed the culpability of practitioners and the institutions beyond any doubts.
The most pressing problems negating our democratic endeavours can be narrowed down to the entrenchment of human weaknesses into the implementation of democratic processes. Politicians have demonstrated an inherent incapability to rise above sentiments of ethnicity, religion and winner-takes-all in navigating the democratic course, notwithstanding their oath of office and the legitimate democratic rights of the electorate. It is therefore hardly surprising that the political parties are only different in name but indistinguishable in the conduct of their affairs and adherence to any ideological principles.
The APC which achieved a remarkable election victory that evicted the ruling party from the corridors of power and took control of the government was deplorably incapable of managing its triumph to galvanize the polity for what could have been a popular revolution for national renaissance and reform.