As governments at all levels mark 15 years of uninterrupted democratic practice in Nigeria today, stakeholders from all walks of life have expressed divergent views on the successes, failures and prospects of democracy and good governance in the country.
The stakeholders, who spoke to our correspondents in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, x-rayed the nation’s democratic experiment since May 29, 1999, its achievements thus far, the challenges bedevilling the country, and the lessons learnt from the avalanche of issues that have negatively affected Nigeria’s march towards greatness.
They also made suggestions on the way going forward through policies that would guarantee hope, peace and sustainable development while at the same time securing the lives and property of citizens.
Chairman, Ahoada West Local Government Area, Barrister Awori Miller said, “the Federal Government has failed Nigerians in many ways, especially in the area of security of lives of the citizens, and combating poverty in the land. Presently, I can say that there is no security in Nigeria. The country’s leadership has also failed in terms of providing employment for the citizens.
“The Federal Government has to be sincere in its policies to revamp the faltering state of infrastructure development in all sectors of the economy. The National Conference that is expected to shape the future of the country is a mere jamboree, because I don’t expect anything meaningful from the look of things.
“The survival of Nigeria needs a deliberate and concerted efforts to address critical issues of national concern, such as job creation, security, minority rights, among others.”
For Patrick Court, a teacher: “There is not much to celebrate as the country is in a state of dilemma, and requires the intervention of God to save the people from extermination. It is unfortunate that Nigerians can no longer find peace at every part of the country, and that puts a question mark on our democracy and nationhood.
“We can only celebrate when we live life unmolested, and pursue our livelihoods in any part of the country without fear of harassment, intimidation or even being killed under violent circumstances. We need to pray for the peace, security and survival of this country.”
A commercial motorist, Akanimo Udosen said, “I am not very happy with the way things are going in this country. Things are very difficult for the ordinary people, who have increasingly become vulnerable. They are mostly the victims of terrorist attacks. “The government should do something to protect the lives of ordinary citizens.
“In the area of transportation, the Federal Government has tried with the reconstruction of the railway system. I think the government should try and complete the rail project to help the ordinary people who cannot afford expensive transport system.”
Fellow, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Elizabeth Bob-Manuel said, “I think the government has made some impact in the development of the health sector but there are still lots that need to be done. The government has to muster the political will to make the system more functional than the way things are now.
“For instance, there should be provision of basic facilities for effective medical services in Nigeria to discourage over-dependence in foreign medical services. There should also be a multisectoral approach towards the developemnt of the health sector as the government cannot do everything alone. I am however, optimistic that things will improve remarkably in the future, if there is a determined will to fix the system, devoid of politics.”
Chairman, New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Hon Princewill Enyie picked holes with the administration at all levels for what he described as government of exclusion. “Those in charge of governance should bring all the stakeholders in governance together. Any governance that cannot do that can’t be regarded as a government,” he said.
“Unity government is only professed but not put into actual practice, and until the attitude is changed towards uniting the people at all levels of governance, we cannot be speaking in one voice,” he mainatined.
“Our democracy has sufferred in the hands of leaders who lack the will to govern the people. Look at the delay in the conduct of local governemnt elections. This is one of the inconsistencies in policies that has characterised our democracy, and made progress towards perfection difficult.”
Vice Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof Rosemund Dienye Green-Osahogulu, while assessing the contributions of the youth to the nation’s democracy, said there are areas the youth have performed enviably well, adding that many of their negative activities have also brought shame to the nation.  She said there is no way Nigeria’s democracy can be unbiasedly assessed without taking into cognisance the role of the youth in national development, peace and stability.
She scored the youth high in the areas of sports, as according to her, many of them have represented the country well, bringing honours and laurels. They have also made the country proud in the area of entertainment such as music and movies.
“But in the education sector, they have not bequeathed themselves enough. Some of them still engage people to write JAMB and class examinations, especially at tertiary level. They involve in cultism, militancy, kidnapping, robbery, and other social vices. They have lost their sense of respect for elders, their social values and attitudinal orietations have not been encouraging.  These are some of the challenges that our democracy has faced in the last 15 years.
For Senior Lecturer, IAUE, Dr Green Iheanacho: “Our leaders appear not to have a full grasp of the how presidential system of government in a democracy should work. This is why we tend to pander more towards parliamentary or unitary system of government. In the present dispensation, you see more of an overbearing legislature and controversial judiciary. It appears they do not have a clear undertsnading of the system of government they are running.