Politics

Nigeria And Challenges Of Grassroot Democracy

Published

12 years ago

December 16, 2013

Nigeria adopted the

ideals of Democratic Local Government in the 1950s, when the concept was embraced as a means of development integration across the length and breath of the country.

Many decades after the adoption of this political concept, the country is still battling to have a firmer grasp of the unsettling dynamics of local government administration. The defects in the smooth implementation of the policy is mostly associated with decades of military dictatorship.

According to the late Ogoni activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, in his muse over local government system in Nigeria, “The military grossly abused the concept of local government administration in Nigeria, the system which was supposed to be used to foster grassroots development and popular participation in governance, was damaged by the military through dismantling of political structures and creation of LGAs on personal advantages and not on the fundaments of justice,” Ken Saro Wiwa, the environmental and minority rights activist believed that most local government areas created by the military lacked viability in terms of economic sustenance, while, areas deserving of the structural and economic benefits of the local government system were slighted.

Consequently, the expectant advantages of popular participation, self determination, democratic liberties and integrated grassroots development are therefore lacking in the polity.

When civil rule was enthroned in Nigeria in 1999, after many years of unfettered military rule, there was a general sense of victory over the forces of dictatorship, There was a general believe that issues of constitutional review and ammendment would be given speedy attention to address impending national challenges. One of such prime areas of concern was the issue of local government administration, which is believed to be the closest form of government to the people. The Lagos State Government under the leadership of Senator Bola Tinubu as governor brought a new dimension to the politics of grassroots democracy in Nigeria when he created new LGAs in the state. This action by Tinubu stirred the honest nest, as there was national debate over whether or not the new LGAs, should participate in the local government elections. Many analysts argued that the New LGAs should be scrapped as there was no constitutional provision for their participation in the elections, as the electoral umpires were bound to conduct the polls based on existing local government structure in the country. More so, it was argued that the “so called new LGAs, ostensibly created for rapid rural transformation had ended up in draining the state coffers since there was no allocation from the Federal Government Forum than”. Drawing from the Lagos precedence, the Bayelsa State government also created development centres, that operated on allocation from state fund.

The issue of legitimacy of the new local government created by the Lagos State Government was also taken up in a legal tussle that later ended in favour of the Lagos State government. A determined spirit indeed, but the fact remains that, inspite of the Lagos example, the local government system in Nigeria is yet to attain its full objectives. There are still contentions over the issue of local government autonomy, and this was brought to the fore during the public debate on constitutional review. At the centre of the campaign for local government autonomy is the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

Recently, the South South branch of NULGE led by the National president of the body, embarked on peaceful protests across the South South zone of the country to register discontent of he body against plot to scuttle the collective endorsement of Nigerians on local government autonomy.

The National Executive of NULGE, poured its vituperation against what it called “the forces of oppression” and vowed to mobilize its members across the country to fight the plot against local government autonomy. NULGE listed its demands as, political autonomy, financial autonomy and job security in the local government system.

While the NULGE protest replicate a populist revolt, it is also a considered opinion that beyond the achievement of personal advantages, the local government workers should devote attention to the mobilization of the bulk of the Nigerian masses at the grassroots to effectively monitor the electoral process to ensure that only popular candidates emerge.

Andrew Ajaji, a public affairs analysts, believes that “the absence of proper check over who becomes elected leaders at the local government levels, was responsible for the lack of development at the grassroots”.

According to Ajaji, “only few local government chairmen are using the available fund for development in their respective LGAs, many administrators of public fund at the local government system are imposed on the people, and they indulge in self appropriation of the resources, while remitting to the personal coffers of their political benefactors”.

Describing the ugly trend as a breach of public trust, Ajaji, posited that a major step to a genuine democratic process at the grassroots, “is for Nigerians to participants actively in the process of election of their political leaders, and also monitor the management of public fund, through consultative governance”.

He noted that, “there are fears that the fight for local government autonomy might as well be another measure of swelling the wealth of those who ascribe to power through tacit endorsement of Godfathers rather than through the ballot boxes”.

However, the level of participation of the masses in Nigeria’s democratic process is abysmally low. Electoral experiences in the country reveal that the road so far has been very rough, as electoral malpractices, turbulence, and poli-thug violence have always charactered the processes.

The just concluded Anambra Governorship elections, has left tongues wagging over the capability or otherwise of the Independence National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to conduct a free and fair poll, in 2015.

Inspite of the electoral umpires’ claim of independence of extraneous forces, its chief helmsman Prof Attahru Jega, admitted that the Anambra election was marred by irregularities. Allegations were labeled against INEC for colluding to electoral fraud, an act that has been described within political circles as “culpable incompetence and conspiracy of silence”.

INEC has however reaffirmed its competence towards handing the 2015, polls on the note that every election poses a complaint and offers a remedy of sorts.

Pundits however posit that the future of democracy in Nigeria depend on a well consolidated grassroots positioning, as over 80% of Nigerians live within the rural areas, and INEC can be only taken seriously, if it strategically put in place putative measures to guarantee hitch free polls come 2015.

Ahead of the local government polls coming up next year there was need for early preparations and deep sense of commitment of various state electoral commissions toward transparence elections.

The merger of Major opposition parties into a bigger political body under the appellation of All Progressive congress (APC) has also raised hope in the political process, as according to analysts “it rekindles hope of popular participation by demystifying the behemoth status of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party,” (PDP). Perhaps, aspiring political leaders at various levels of governance can now look elsewhere for hope and the monolithic political composition of legislative Assemblies, and States Houses of Assemblies, including the National Assembly (NASS) would be balanced in the new political equation. The growing tendencies of political leaders to hold the citizens as captives, will also be put under check as, they would be alert to their responsibilities, knowing that their chances of scaling the next election would be judged on performance and not endorsement. Here it lies the prospect of a strong and verile society.

Taneh Beemene

Politics

Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.

Politics

10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”

Politics

Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.