Sylvester Odion-Akhaine highlights Ghana’s significant democratic advancements over Nigeria, emphasizing that Ghana’s institutions display resilience and professionalism. He criticizes Nigeria for its poor electoral integrity and associated challenges, including violence, human rights abuses, and fiscal mismanagement, which hinder its democratic progression.
Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, a Professor of Political Science and a prominent Human Rights Activist, asserts that Ghana has seen notable advancements in its democracy over the past twenty years, particularly in contrast to Nigeria. He emphasizes that Ghana’s commitment to institutional development is evident through significant enhancements in their electoral processes and overall governance.
Unlike Nigeria, where the Electoral Commission, Judiciary, and Security Agencies exhibit weaknesses, Ghanaian institutions demonstrate resilience, professionalism, and impartiality in handling electoral affairs. This disparity was highlighted during the 103rd Inaugural Lecture at the Lagos State University (LASU), where Professor Odion-Akhaine presented on the theme, “Shifting For Good: The Weapon of Empiricism in the Disorder of a Third Wave of Democracy in Africa.”
The Professor pointed out that while Ghana’s democratic practices have qualitatively improved, Nigeria’s advancement has remained largely quantitative. He noted that there are structured efforts within the international community, such as the establishment of a peace council comprised of civic and religious leaders to mediate electoral disputes in Ghana.
Ghana’s successful democratic transitions between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New People’s Party (NPP) since 2000 contrast sharply with Nigeria’s limited progress, which has only witnessed a single transition of power from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.
Odion-Akhaine attributes Nigeria’s stagnant democracy to four core pathologies, starting with the lack of free and fair elections. He criticized that since 1999, most elections in Nigeria have been marred by rigging, deviating from democratic principles. The Professor asserted, “It got so bad that the Commonwealth Observers reported that Nigeria went below the standard it set for itself in the 2007 election.”
Additionally, he noted the persistent human rights violations and politically motivated killings as critical issues affecting Nigeria’s political landscape. He referred to notorious incidents, including the Odi and Zaki Biam massacres, which have added to the cycle of violence and governance failures in the country.
Moreover, compatriots face violence from terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and experience ethnic conflicts, which continue to shape political engagement and voting behaviors. Ethnic identity politics remains entrenched in Nigeria, making it a significant factor in electoral outcomes.
Finally, Professor Odion-Akhaine underscored the alarming mismanagement of public funds, asserting that Nigeria’s economy suffers from a culture of inefficiency and corruption. He lamented that over 70 percent of national income is diverted towards recurrent expenditures rather than capital investments. He articulated, “The bleeding of the national economy by public officials is aggravated by expenditure on public office holders and sundry appendages.”
In summary, Ghana’s democracy has advanced significantly compared to Nigeria, driven largely by strong institutions and commitment to electoral integrity. Major issues such as election rigging, human rights violations, ethnic conflicts, and public fund mismanagement continue to plague Nigeria’s political landscape, hindering democratic progress and stability. Addressing these challenges is essential for Nigeria to enhance its democratic practices and governance.
Original Source: businessday.ng
