Vestiges of Military Rule in Democratic Governance in Nigeria

Abstract

The position argued for in this paper is that: the inability to manage Nigeria as a
federation; challengesin the area of fiscal federalism, the culture of political apathy,
the culture of lack of accountability, contempt for the rule of law, gross disregard
for and abuse of fundamental human rights, intolerance for opposition and other
vices that eventually undermined the capability of democratic institutions, after
democratisation in Nigeria, are vestiges of military rule in Nigeria. When Nigeria
returned to democracy in 1999, it was after many years of military rule. However,
since the values that military governance stands for are different from those of
democracy, there is the need to evaluate how many years under military despotism
have rubbed off on the institutions of democracy as we have it in Nigeria today. It
is pointed out in the paper that the military years that preceded the establishment
of democracy in Nigeria promoted conditions, mentalities, and practices among
Nigerians that are constituting hindrancesto the optimal performance of democracy
in the country. This happened because democracy met in place conditions that are
incompatible with norms, values, purposes, and structures that are suitable for
the sustenance of democratic culture such that the rule of law, consensus-building,
tolerance, free and fair election, accountability, checks and balances and other
values of democracy are struggling for survival. It was concluded that the right
democratisation process for Nigeria should include developing a mentality in
Nigerians that is conducive for democracy to thrive. This requires the cultivation
of the values of democracy in the minds of Nigerians and disabusing their minds
from the anomalies associated with military rule.