Democracy And Kleptocracy In Nigeria

Democracy appears able to survive in Nigeria amidst the sea of doubts caused by ethno-political violence and the period of recession through which the country is passing.



It seems as well that the people of my country, judging by the overwhelming interest and involvement of Nigerians in the last elections, have understood the true significance of democracy.

The underlying problem therefore seems not to be that of any misunderstanding over the meaning of the term but that of identifying those who are in charge of perfecting it.

Over the years, Nigerian political parties and parliaments have sometimes proved to be the most discredited institutions, with low levels of trust from the electorates. Our political leaders have been incapable of nurturing trust in the population, and the majority of them have contributed to this instability in the democratic process.

The greatest problems are the institutional corruption and generalised kleptomania of leaders that have sacked the national treasuries, the lack of clarity and vision of the future among political leaders; and the lack of transparency in the justification of the policies implemented by these governments.

There is also a chronic absence of independence among the branches of government and continual bickering among representatives in the National assembly in Abuja as well as legislative assemblies across the country.

Take the ongoing anti corruption war by ICPC and EFCC for example. The activities of Lawyers, Judges, and even the prosecuting council to frustrate the wars they were supposed to be fighting because of bribes are very obvious. 

The drama over the anti-graft law appears to be not just another tussle between the Nigerian lawmakers and the presidency. More importantly, it is a struggle by both the executive and the legislative arms of government to use the judiciary to put some protection in place, just in case they later have to face the music for their individual and collective acts of kleptocracy.

It is almost easier to say late General Sani Abacha was an honest man compared to the wanton looting of our collective wealth  by our kleptomia leaders today.


Some might say this is pathetically ironic but maybe it is just another lens scope into democracy and Kleptocracy in Nigeria…Demonstration of craze! Crazy Demonstration! Democrazy!