From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has cautioned that the prevailing winners-take-all approach to politics in Nigeria is detrimental to political justice and unity.
Speaking as chairman of a national symposium to mark Democracy Day at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, he emphasised the need for a more inclusive system where parties that perform well at the polls are given a role in governance.
The symposium to mark Democracy Day brought together prominent figures from across the country to discuss the state of democracy in Nigeria and the need for reforms.
Jonathan highlighted the negative impact of the current zero-sum practice, which, he said, fosters a culture of do-or-die politics. He urged the National Assembly to work out a formula that would ensure parties that score a certain percentage of votes in an election are included in governance, thereby promoting political justice and unity.
The former president’s comments come at a time when the country is grappling with the challenges of political instability and the need for more effective governance.
“A political party that scores up to 30 per cent of the votes in an election at federal or state level should not lose everything.
“We need to come up with innovative solutions that will address the challenge of political exclusion that usually comes up after elections.
“Zero-sum politics has over the years promoted desperation, agitations and disunity. We need to work out a model that guarantees political inclusion and promotes unity and tolerance in the polity.
“I am not clearly recommending proportional representation but different governments come up with models of democracy that suit them.
“After all, the presidency we are talking about, all presidents of the world don’t emerge through the same process. In Nigeria, we elect our president directly. In a number of countries, presidents are elected indirectly.
“The powers of the presidents are defined by different constitutions and so on and so forth.
“So our National Assembly can also look at models that will suit us. The zero sum where a party that even sometimes gets 40 percent of votes, especially at the state levels will have nothing, gives rise to this do-or-die politics.
“That zero sum approach, I think, is inimical to consolidating and strengthening our democracy.
“Let me conclude by saying together, we can forge a Nigeria where every citizen has a voice, where opportunities abound, where the promise of a better tomorrow is not just a dream but a tangible reality.
“Let us, therefore, celebrate this milestone with pride and renewed determination.”
President Jonathan also advised the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure the politics of the next 25 years is transformative and inclusive, saying there must be a determined effort to dilute politics of region and religion.
He said: “Let us ensure the next 25 years of our democracy are even more transformative and inclusive and more prosperous for all of us.
“In line with the wordings of our National Anthem, ‘To handover to our children a banner without stain’, we must not handover to our children a democracy built on politics of region and religion. Democracy built on ethnicity does not endure. It will continue to wobble.
“So, for the vice president, you are also representing the president. For me, we are hoping you will build more infrastructure for us, improve the quality of education, health facilities, etc, etc.
“But one key thing that for the next 25 years, you will midwife, because you are starting the next 25 years, is to build a democracy that will reduce friction.
“The avalanche of litigation that follows every round of election in Nigeria is very embarrassing. And because of the kind of democracy we practice, democracy built on all kinds of sentiments, either the way you worship your God or from the map of the country you come from. You people have to gradually make sure that in the next 25 years, this is diluted if we must have a solid and enduring democracy.
“And I know you and President Bola Tinubu who was a key actor in the June 12 crisis will have the capacity to navigate through that process.
“I believe this programme and others commemorating this landmark will point the way to that glorious vision, and prepare the nation for a golden time centenary celebration of enduring democracy.”
Jonathan said 25 years of unbroken democracy is a milestone worthy of celebration considering the nation’s political history, “as it shows, we are making some progress in democratic governance despite the challenges we face in our journey of nationhood.”
Noting that the path towards democratic consolidation has been a difficult one, he said the return of democracy in 1999, after many years of military reign, signalled a new phase in the national journey and shared vision of unity, peace and progress.
The former president added: “In the last 25 years, we have made modest progress in this regard amid some challenges. As a nation, we built an economy that was once the biggest in the African continent, experienced significant infrastructural growth, made strides in the arts and sports, and recorded many peaceful political transitions at the national and sub-national levels.
“Democracy has also brought about improved access to governance, amplified silent voices and reinforced the idea of sovereignty.
“Whenever I tune in to Nigerian TV stations, especially in the morning and see young men and women discussing and interrogating contemporary political issues and holding leaders to account, I thank God for democracy and appreciate the gains we have made over the years.
“Today, citizens have come to terms with the idea of representative governance, as they have over the years expressed their power to choose their leaders and demand accountable leadership and good governance.
“Our civic space has largely flourished, with a vibrant civil society community, increased media freedom and an active press.
“Our journey to democratic consolidation has not been an easy one. It has been a mixed bag of gains and losses, progress and pain, within these 25 years. We have continued to deal with the issues of insecurity, social inequality, unemployment as well as electoral disputes and violence. Despite the challenges associated with democracy, the general feeling is that citizens prefer democracy to any other form of government.
“As a nation, our resolve has been challenged many times, but through shared faith and unity, we have continued to march on.
“We must underscore the fact that democracy is a journey and not a destination. Our democracy, though still young, has weathered storms, overcome challenges and proven its endurance. It has become a beacon of hope, not just for our nation, but for the entire African continent.
“In these 25 years, through four power transitions from one president to another including the death of a sitting president, we have seen the gradual strengthening of our democratic institutions, the expansion of civil liberties, and the active participation of our citizenry in the political process. This progress, while commendable, also reminds us that our work is far from done.
“It is, therefore, time to make this journey seamless, through good citizenship, patriotic service as well as sacrificial and exemplary stewardship.
“We must continue to build upon the foundations laid, deepen our democratic roots, and ensure the dividends of democracy are felt by all Nigerians, regardless of their social, economic or geographic status.
“For democracy to yield its desired dividends, the political class and elite must lead by example and work with unity of purpose to guarantee peace and social justice to the citizens.
“We must work together despite our political differences, accommodate our diversity and prioritise policies that will impact the lives of our citizens.
“As we project towards celebrating the golden jubilee of our uninterrupted democracy, it is imperative to state that we need to work assiduously towards further strengthening state institutions so that they can withstand the shocks that threaten democratic governance.
“Democracy, as a form of government, is anchored on sets of promises in line with a nation’s development and growth aspirations. The fulfilment of these promises reinforces the citizens’ trust and faith in the government.
“As we celebrate 25 years of unbroken democracy, we look to the future with the hope that democracy has come to stay and that democracy will continue to take firm roots in our nation, and we will have cause to celebrate a centenary of uninterrupted democratic governance.
“To attain such a feat, the political actors and everyone at the helm of affairs in this country must listen to the voices of the citizens. The lifestyle of the political class should reflect the current realities in our land.”
Jonathan also called on the political class and elite to lead by example and work with unity of purpose to guarantee peace, social justice, and effective governance for Nigerian citizens.
He emphasised the need for elected representatives to reflect their roles through their lifestyle and actions.
He said: “For democracy to yield its desired dividend, we, the political class and elite, must lead by example and work with unity of purpose to guarantee peace and social justice for the citizens. And our lifestyle must reflect that we are elected people.
“A situation where children of political office holders go to parties and start spraying dollars is not the kind of democracy we want to witness in this country.
“We must work together despite our political differences, accommodate our diversity and prioritise policies that will impact the lives of our citizens.
“As we project towards celebrating a golden jubilee of uninterrupted democracy, which I believe we will, we are celebrating 25 years, we will also celebrate the golden jubilee.
“In the alternative, we need to work assiduously towards further strengthening state institutions, so that they can withstand the shocks that threaten democratic governance. Democracy, as a form of government, is anchored on sets of promises in line with the nation’s development and growth aspirations. The fulfilment of these promises reinforces the citizens’ trust and faith in the government.”