Nigeria operates monopoly democracy says Ezekwesili, Utomi

The duo of Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili and Professor of political economy, Prof Pat Utomi have described the country’s brand of democratic rule as monopoly democracy.

They made this disclosure at a conference on #FixPolitics: Changing politics structurally for Africa’s prosperity organised by the Robert Bosch Academy on Monday and held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the Co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG), since the attainment of self-rule, Nigeria has not been progressing as the political class recycle themselves in the corridors of power.

While noting that political freedom is a mirage in Nigeria, she added that the absence of shared value and of a unified vision of nationhood is hunting Nigeria.

She said, “We are yet to have political independence in Nigeria. Political power in this country does not belong to the people but to elected politicians. Nigeria does not practice participatory democracy. The country practises monopoly democracy which is more dangerous than an economic democracy. Politics in Nigeria and indeed in other African countries are in dire need of a structural change.”

ALSO READ: Our personnel not involved in any armed robbery ― Bauchi Police

Professor Pat Utomi, on his part, opined that Democracy cannot make progress without a rationalised public conversation to advance the common good of the people.

According to him, democracy is able to solve problems because it allows citizens to raise issues and engage in rational public conversation.

But this, the Prof. said is not likely to take place in Nigeria as he said a terrible thing has happened to citizens of the country.

He said, “Democracy is able to solve the problem because it allows citizens to rationally raise issues that affect them and converse among themselves.

But in Nigeria, this is unlikely to take place. Democracy cannot make progress without a rationalised public conversation to advance the common good. When you have a mindset of one perspective, you can’t make progress.”