LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Professor Jamiu Oluwatoki, a professor of History and International Relations, Lagos State University (LASU) has said that Nigeria has an inherent autocratic tendencies that continues to impede its journey towards becoming a fully democratic society.
The professor said this while delivering a lecture titled “Is Nigeria a functional democracy or becoming an authoritarian state during a democracy forum organised for students and youths by FRAME Democracy, a firm that aims to instil the concept of democracy in the minds of young people and provide them with the tools and resources to become fully engaged democratic citizens.
The professor who spoke to voiceofnaija.ng emphasized the need for a homegrown democracy, highlighting how the country’s colonial past and decades of oppressive governance have shaped its current political landscape.
“For almost a century, Nigeria endured a colonial system that aimed to exploit and suppress its people.
“The institutions and agencies put in place by the colonial rulers were designed to divide and conquer, divide and rule, against different ethnic group further sowing the seeds of autocracy into the Nigerian mindset so that by the time we come out of It we have already imbibed this negative attitudes that are not democratic to bring into our democracy.
“The lack of a democratic foundation has left Nigeria ill-prepared for the challenges of governance after gaining independence. The country’s leaders, many of whom were molded during the autocratic military rule, struggle to understand democratic principles and engage in undemocratic practices. The failures in Nigeria’s periodic, albeit flawed elections only highlight these shortcomings,” he said
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He further noted that a significant proportion of the population lacks faith in “Project Nigeria.”
Saying the absence of belief in a common national identity undermines the collective effort to build a truly democratic society, he said building this belief requires a transformation in the education system, starting from homes, schools, churches, and mosques, instilling patriotism and civic responsibility at a young age.
While acknowledging the importance of periodic elections, the experts claimed that relying solely on them is not enough to ensure a functioning democracy.
“Autocratic tendencies persist because people fail to question their leaders and demand accountability. Blaming leaders alone is not productive; followers must also take responsibility for their society’s democratic progress,” he said.
The professor emphasized the need for advocacy and community-building initiatives adding that forums like the event provides a platform for sharing ideas, learning from the experiences of other countries, and creating a united front to advocate for change.
He said by examining past mistakes of other countries and learning from them, Nigerians can rededicate themselves to the project of forging a truly democratic nation.
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He noted that ironically, the rise of autocratic tendencies in Nigeria stems from a lack of knowledge and capability to do the right thing by political leaders.
“Political leaders who lack the necessary skills or desire to govern effectively fall back on autocratic practices to maintain control. What exacerbates this issue is the absence of a democratic mechanism to hold them accountable. The process of selecting leaders is flawed, allowing autocrats to thrive without any real checks and balances,” he noted.
Prof Oluwatoki said despite all the challenges, there is hope for change as the advent of social media has given Nigerians a tool to question and challenge those in power.
Also speaking at the event, Program Manager of FRAME Democracy,
Mahmud Jafar, highlighted various authoritarian trends in Nigeria, including corruption, restricted civil liberties, state surveillance, media control, limited rule of law, and the rise of personality cults.
Specific cases according to him are that of Chioma Okoli, Rhoda Jatau, Aminu Adamu, and the disappearance of government critic Dadiyata.
“The rising authoritarian trends in Nigeria are problematic and undermine our democracy, contributing to political apathy among youths,” stated Mahmud Jafar.
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Jafar expressed plans for future forums across Nigeria to empower students and youths to identify and counter authoritarian trends through FRAME Democracy clubs.
Nigerian Journalist and Filmmaker Kiki Mordi who was also at the event emphasised the importance of digital rights in a democratic society.
“If we can assemble here freely, we should enjoy the same rights online as human rights extend to the digital space,” she said.
She highlighted the unjust arrest of Chioma Okoli for a social media post and stressed that digital rights are essential for social justice and equality.