Foundation of Political Freedom in the Democracy of Nigeria: The 21St Century Approach to Civil Progress and Political Democracy in the Country

By Victor-Don Sampson

Growth and Development of Multiple Political Party Systems in Nigeria

In the present Nigeria, there are so many active, goal-oriented political parties that have grown with the interest of the people at heart. Political party system is the peoples best choice for supporting democratic government. Thus the Nigerian political party system has been producing through electoral democracy fortunate presidential candidates, transparent senators, successful federal and state House of Assembly representatives, active state governors, and great chairman of local government area. Our party system indeed understands common human aims and work toward the peoples political interest to better all sector of life in the nation.

The Nigerian People Alliances and Growth of Political Organizations

A popular, goal-driven measure of supporting democratic leadership in Nigeria is by creating alliances and nongovernmental organizations. In this country, alliances has been used in pursuing democratic peace in government, while nongovernmental organizations are solely for provision of human welfare through divergent humanitarian services. Obviously, many alliances and political groups or organizations also have been formed with interest and aspiration for national political development because many of them have the belief that successful governance can be possible when there is true and effective electoral democracy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: May 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781499096965

Victor-Don Sampson

Victor-Don Sampson is the executive director of Revive Centre Life Care Clinic in Uyo Township Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He serves as the international president of United Annang Peoples’ Foundation (UAPF), which has shared interest in political democracy and humanitarian services. He is a member of Emergency Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria (SEMPSON) and holds a professional qualification as a public health practitioner from his alma mater along with other professional honors. He hails from the family of Udoukpong Asioekong in Ikot Ekong, Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Victor-Don Sampson is a public motivator with active interest in civil government and political democracy. As a concerned democratic citizen, he is in touch with the official civil life of the nation and holds a strong faith in political freedom.

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Copyright © 2015 by Victor-Don Sampson.

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Foundation of Political Freedom in the Democracy of Nigeria

Copyright 2015 by Victor-Don Sampson

The names and details of countries mentioned in this book are not with the aim of stigmatization. Information in this book that is related to a particular country’s political experience was derived at the time the country was experiencing a particular sociopolitical evolution.

The historical picture and scenarios portrayed in the various chapters of this book may not fit into the real description of a particular political behaviour or problem of a country at the present time. It only serves to give the publisher a public spirit of communication as there is freedom of expression.

The material suggested in this book for further reading are recommended as a resource to you and are not intended in any way to be an approval for any political, social, or economic system. The publisher, however, makes no acceptance for and will not assume responsibility for any illicit interpretation, reader’s misunderstanding, or undetected omissions in this publication. Other extractions or additional information may be required under particular leadership regime based on the most current recommendations of ideologies by some legal institutions or authorities.

For information about this book, contact the author, Victor-Don Sampson, international president of United Annang People’s Foundation (UAPF) or any one of the addresses of the Xlibris Business Group in United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, or South Africa. etc.

Please write to United Annang People’s Foundation (UAPF) through the office of the international president, Victor-Don Sampson, on any subject of your interest.

Email: [e-mail], [e-mail], sacredaidrevivecentre

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One The Political System Of The Human Society

Chapter 2 State Of Citizenship And Fundamental Freedom Of The People

Chapter Three Civil Process And Political Values In Modern Democratic Nations

Chapter Four The People’s Political Rights For Representative Democracy And Common Problems

Chapter Five The Light Of Freedom And Human Rights

Chapter Six A Look At The Political Problems Of The Nations

Chapter Seven The Nature Of Civil Life And Challenges

Chapter Eight The Role Of Government And Individuals In National Development

Chapter Nine Achievement Of Political Objective In Civil Government

Chapter Ten The Purpose And Effects Of Political Justice

Bibliography

Dedicated to the following personalities for their contribution to the growth of democracy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

• His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari (president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces)

• His Excellency Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR (former president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces)

• His Excellency Gen. Olesegun Obasanjo (former President and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces)

• His Excellency Senator Chief Dr Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON (senator / former governor of Akwa Ibom State)

• His Excellency Udom Emmanuel (governor of Akwa Ibom State)

• Hon. Mal Tambuwal Waziri Aminu (governor of Sokoto State / former speaker of the Federal House of Assembly)

• His Excellency Mal Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (Governor of Kaduna State / former minister of FCT)

• His Excellency Rochas Okorocha (governor of Imo State)

• His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola (former governor of Lagos State)

• Mal Nuhu Ribadu (former EFCC Chairman)

And to all the leaders of this nation—past, present, and future.

Also to those ordinary/private citizens who wish the country the best of political development.

Acknowledgements

D uring the process of writing this book, I was deeply occupied with the inspiration that came from the many good works of so many great leaders in this country; their mode of conduct, wisdom, and commitment in national politics gave me a larger motivation, which I use to develop notes on political democracy and growth of governance in the nation.

In our present democracy, we have President Muhammadu Buhari, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and President Olusegun Obasanjo as new-era dynamic democratic leaders, from whom I also borrowed their philosophies to become the best writer of this book of democracy.

I thank all the executive members of the new government who peacefully continued governance with the progress of political democracy in the local, state, and federal levels in the present governance of His Excellency, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari, president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria. They never lack wisdom and cooperation and have been able to assume their various positions of election and appointment.

I have much appreciation for the political conduct and manner of operation of the outgoing democratic leaders, especially His Excellency Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and members of his Cabinet for what they contributed towards the growth and success of political democracy in the nation. All past and present senators, Federal House of Assembly, and State House of Representatives and the many governors of the thirty-one states of the federation.

His Excellency Senator (Chief) Dr Goodswill Obot Akpabio, the former executive governor of Akwa Ibom State for the strides of his transformation agenda and advanced process in governance, to whom I also presented the draft of this book in his office before I proceeded for publication. The new governor in my state of origin, which is Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Udom Emmanuel, who resumed his office while I was making some steps to publish this book.

Thanks are also expressed to the many political parties which we have in the nation, who also are friends and supporters of good leaders. They have good interest and healthy ambition for political and economic development, and they represent a good symbol in this book.

The United Annang Peoples’ Foundation (UAPF) is a cooperating nonpartisan political organization and humanitarian society, which was established with the sole aim of enhancing political development and humanitarian services in the country, from which I also have the philosophical framework for this present intellectual project as my contribution to the growth of political democracy in the country as the president of the organization.

The excellent technical support of Penguin Business Group (Xlibris Publishing Company), United Kingdom, for their artwork and technical working support on improving the contents of this book and also their satisfactory services right from evaluation to editing and production and distribution process of this publication. The commendable assistance of Debbie Ramos, publishing service consultant, and Michael Go, who is my manuscript service supervisor/project advisor, and Lloyd Griffith, an editorial service specialist, and many other associate members of the Xlibris copy-editing team. Other people who played major roles for the publication are Noel Callego for the Interior layout and ASPI production team. Their experience and commitment has provided the success of this publishing goal.

Many valuable publications from the good efforts of many authors from the United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and other parts of the world. Some of them have been listed in the suggested reading at the end of this book. I appreciate and thank all of them for their intellectual copyright properties, especially on leadership and political democracy.

Finally, my warm appreciation to many millions of Nigerians from the various tribes in the nation and ethnic groups who have not criticized or condemned me during the research process on development of this book. I learnt so much from the political behaviour of the Nigerian citizens to become what I am today. Thank you for helping me fulfil this publishing goal. You are such good and wonderful people of the nation.

Preface

I n recent years, however, several literatures have abounded on political freedom and basic human rights in the nation, mostly in the context of modern democracy and the practice of legitimate civil government. The pursuit of political democracy is, in fact, a very important aspect of political life to the hundreds of millions of Nigerian citizens who believe that sound political system is the best option on the great adventure of building a successful nation.

It is important because the Nigerian politics today is proof that the common citizen can reach for their goals and achieve the best for the nation. Citizens do not have to live in slavery, in servitude, or in poverty. The history of the Nigerian political system has proven that civil revolution is necessary at every stage of political development because it is something that can lead to growth of democratic process in government.

However, it is known that the most revolutionary idea in the world is how to have personal freedom, and men and women have fought over the ages for this very need. This is indispensable because the people want a government that can give them the reality of life, liberty, and happiness as free people of the world.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 came up as many countries developed the aspiration to embrace democracy into their system of governance. Just after the turn of the twenty-first century, this all changed again with the United States’s attempt to spread democracy to other parts of the world. One thing that became very clear in the world’s political system was the many ways most nations used to pursue modern democratic processes, and this largely depended on the political norms, civil traditions, and standards that existed in a nation’s own government.

Although thousands of famous philosophies have been applied to democratic systems of government in many nations, a successful government is highly conscious of the impression made by the individual citizen and tends to support or control the system of leadership to promote peace, unity, and progress. This is the essence of political democracy. Indeed, political growth has taken place and is still going on, giving the Nigerian people a better concept about their government.

The problem of civil disorderliness and political crisis, if not conquered, is at least under control. A political system as new and complex as that of Nigeria must be reasonably efficient to solve the problems of the nation and protect the interest of the people. The average Nigerian citizen must have political and economic freedom to improve his political life as a free human individual, even though there are still numerous problems to be solved to make the nation attend its best to better all of mankind.

The successes of democratic government are very practical and numerous compared to other systems of government. Political democracy has brought huge success to many nations who greatly desire freedom and has helped to maintain the wonderful and great social benefits of satisfaction, which successful democracy can rightly make possible. It has also promoted the political behaviour of the people of the nation, making them take active part in government.

Nigeria is a complex political society that needs leaders who can become deeply concerned about democratic traditions, norms, and ethical and political values, which can help them know what is right or wrong in government. Because of this, Nigerians have fought for justice and freedom many times since the 1990s, and they will continue to protect their interests through democratic processes. We shall follow the good tradition of other countries of the world so as to improve in our methods of government as a democratic nation.

This book only attempts to give a picture of the Nigerian political system as it actually is at the present time—of its numerous achievements as well as its unsolved problems. Politics in the nation is successful because it gives majority of Nigerian men and women things they want most, namely, the chance to take part in politics and the privilege to live as free people. This has given rise to political participation through groups and organizations that engender political emancipations. The political class of this nation has been protected by the civil tradition as adopted from the American culture and the United Nations Development Programme.

Precisely it is noted that our democratic government is a memorable one in the mind of today’s democrat. The present achievements and the common benefits that political democracy has help us to realize are so rich in experience, and it is believed that Nigeria as a nation has expanded its political interest as a free society and has numerous achievements as well as unsolved problems like every other nation of the world.

Moreover, Nigeria as a nation shares a dream of having a successful and effective democratic nation with other parts of the universe. When the search for independence began in our time, it quickly made us aware of the government that can guarantee greater civil liberties and protect individual freedom and respect rights associated with human dignity. Adequate or proper observation of political rights and civil liberties will make the country have a universal acceptance as a successful political community.

Modern democracy has made leaders aware that they are accountable to the people who own the government, thus the nation has come to be fully involved in representative government as a way of satisfying the interests of the good people of the nation, and many have also come into government as people who have their best interests for the nation. This will continue to give the Nigerian people a good image in the record of modern democracy.

However, this growing pattern of our political system is, in essence, a significant change, and we have seen that it is continuous and an evidence that democracy is not a failure. To have a political and economic democracy in the nation means that the country is free. It is really a sign that living together in a way in which free men and women could work can help us solve our problems. Thus the achievements of the nation cannot mark the end of the pursuit of successful civil government.

In a sense, political democracy in existence is to keep us informed of the advantages of living in a free society. And we have to look for political freedom with growth because the two must always go together. We have to look for ways of improving our government through electoral democracy or what is called representative government.

Victor-Don Sampson

International President

United Annang Peoples’ Foundation (UAPF)

Introduction

A s an aspect of sociopolitical evolution, many nations of the world are growing towards a social process that will reflect many of the essential features of an effective or successful democracy. Between 1999–2014, many Nigerian citizens have experienced the political benefits of taking an active part in politics or a role in governance. Of course, it is admitted that for any sustainable social or political development to take place in any country, the citizens must understand the need for effective representation in government. Thus the culture of most social processes in human societies reflects that the people must participate in the necessary political and democratic process to achieve sustainable growth and development in their nations.

Similarly, it is not always that all sections of the population in a nation take part effectively in the economic, social, or political process of the society due to the fact that many nations have multi-ethnic and multicultural diversities. There are, however, many reasons people may remain helpless or politically backwards in a nation. One is lack of the knowledge and awareness of political rights and civil liberties, and this ignorance range from lack of civic or citizenship education to apathy or loss of motivation in matters of public interest.

Despite the trend in political change and emancipations, there are still so many unsolved problems in the nation. The lack of healthy cultural and democratic standards is the major challenge facing the Nigerian political system today. But it is pertinent to note that unless specific political, social, and economic conditions are met, the people will continue to face various challenges that will make them find it difficult to participate in matters of public interest.

Effective and responsible citizenship is, therefore, the political lifeblood of a democratic nation. Also the politically equipped and successful citizens are very important to a nation because they have responsibilities, which, when fulfilled, can better the condition of the nation, and it is the good citizen or a responsible democratic leader that can govern in a better and efficient way.

However, the Nigerian people would have to be consistent in their effort and support towards democratic process to be able to handle and solve problems in their government. This will promote sociopolitical and economic changes for fulfilment of national goals and activities that are critical to the democratic process. At the same time, we need democrats with positive interest that can better the condition of the citizens and the nation at large.

Nigeria is a multicultural society and has a high population of the people who are affected by ethnic and religious problems. But the people are capable of assuming their political and economic roles; they are generally engaged in various trades or vocations and professions to earn a better living. Amongst such include farming, small- and large-scale marketing, agricultural production, transport, and so forth. Both men and women are responsible for economic activities in addition to their involvement in formal and informal life in the nation. Within the framework of democratic process, polity, laws and policies are the aims of a successful nation and are expected to be pursued with equality, peace, and justice, especially in terms of political rights, civil liberties, or generally, in respect to dignity of the individual, groups, or organizations.

However, from the past eight years till now, there has been a significant approach to the issues of equality, freedom, justice, welfare, and human development. In recent years, the emergence of political organizations has been recognized as a fundamental aspect of promoting a healthy trend in the practice of democracy and enjoyment of basic rights and civil privileges in the nation. The National Constitution has also set up a standard to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of every individual and group of persons that lives in the nation.

Similarly, democratic polity has provided integrity for laying the foundation for citizenship participation in decision-making at all levels of governance in the country so that human rights and dignity are not abused or violated. The principle of the rule of the law, observation of fundamental human rights and fundamental duties and obligations of citizenship has always been clearly defined with directed principles in the Nigerian democracy, though we still have so many barriers.

Indeed, democratic governance not only provides opportunities for the democrats but also empowers the ordinary and private citizens to adopt measures of positive criticism in favour of the beneficial effects of public opinion in a successful democracy. Meanwhile, despite the numerous challenges in the implementation of effective democratic process, it is evident that the Nigerian people still enjoy common rights and civil privileges associated with citizenship.

Political Model of the Nigerian Democratic Governance

Though democratic governance, through the national development policies and support from the non-governmental organizations and international community, is making a strong effort towards strengthening the political sector of life in the nation, it is not yet a perfect one because the only effective result of democracy is the image of the political community that it has given to all of us—as citizens and as an independent nation.

Democratic governance is a very effective social process, with a structure that can provide opportunities for the citizens to participate in the various social, political, and economic activities. Therefore, our democratic process is considered as a significant means for achievement of national goals of leadership, which are peace, unity, growth, and development, to list but a few.

Between 1999 and today, many Nigerian people—individuals, groups, and organizations—have always integrated their efforts through organized democratic process to elect leaders