Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, What is working and what is not: Nigerians speak

Nigeria’s Fourth Republic (1999 to date began in May 29, 1999, with a new constitution, ending decades of military dictatorships, however, despite successes in continuous democratic governance and economic growth, issues like corruption, insecurity, and infrastructural decay are still on the fron burner. The Fourth Republic usuring in democratic rule has marked the longest era of civilian rule in the country. Nigerians in a Vox Pop with Weekend Trust speak on the successes and failures of the Fourth Republic while urging leaders to live up to the expectation of its citizens.

Emeka Anyaoku, 62, trader, Makurdi

In 1999, when the military handed over power to the civilian government, we felt everything was going to be okay and truly speaking, it was well. Why? Because any military government you think has done well, the civilian government is far better looking at the speed of development. Now, there are constructions going on everywhere. In Benue for instance, when ex-Governor George Akume took over in 1999, he constructed several hospitals like the North Bank clinic which he converted to General Hospital, the Benue State Teaching Hospital and Judges Quarters among others that his government was able to do.

Then former Governor Gabriel Suswam came onboard and did well too, even ex-Governor Samuel Ortom that people are castigating performed in the rural areas and now the present Governor Hyacinth Alia is doing very well.

All of them have done well and things are moving in the education sector, roads construction, health sector and women empowerment and so on in all sectors. It was democracy that gave opportunity to women being appointed to various positions.

If not democracy, how would I, an Igbo man, have become a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (under Akume) in a state, I am not from. Democracy has come and will stay. Nigeria will be great again. The only issue is insecurity and it will surely

Etim Ekpimah, businessman

There’s no difference between this time and the Fourth Republic. Corrupt and politicians are not there for the interest of the public. They’re there to serve their personal interest and those of their families and cronies. They’re insensitive to the plights of citizens. During elections, they empower thugs to shoot and kill innocent citizens at will. Ethnic rivalries are still commonplace.

Nick Abeh,62, journalist/politician, Makurdi

I witnessed the transition from military rule to civilian in 1999. During this period, many Nigerians had high hopes that the civilian government was going to turn things around and bring development in all sectors of our human life for the people. The hopes we had was that our roads, schools, hospitals would be better and social amenities provided and citizens would have a good life but unfortunately, the hopes have been dashed. See the condition of our roads, they are terribly bad, for instance, the Makurdi – Naka road that has become impassable and nothing is being done about it. Also, the Yandev – Ugbema road and several other roads in the state and across the country. Year in and out, budgets are prepared and we don’t see any tangible outcome. The concentration of the political leaders the moment they come into office is to start planning for the next election and development suffers. Our expectations have been that things will change and Nigerians will have a good life. Some of the things they are doing are good but not to the expectations of the people. The expectations of the people are very high from the onset. I think political leaders should sit up and ensure that the hopes we had when the civilian government took over the mantle of leadership in 1999 from the military will be

Dooshima Agur,64, Social Development Worker, Makurdi

Talking about transition from military rule to civilian government in 1999, I had so much hope, but let me say that the military rule we had, salaries were paid as when due. I was already qualified and working as a Nigerian registered nurse in the hospital and my salary was paid as when due; everything was provided, everything was available, maybe because our economy was stable.

The first eight years of our civilian rule was stable because the economy was good but along the line, maybe recklessness got into the minds and heads of our politicians who were self centred and crazy about acquiring properties primitively for themselves and their unborn generations, rather than offer service to the people to better their lives.

For me, hopes were dashed shortly after civilian rule. Things started going down the drain gradually and like a joke, we watched things going down; like the education system, social amenities. For me I feel very sad about the non realisation of those visions and hopes. We are now in a country, where people are insensitive to the development of the country and insensitive about the younger generation and unborn generations. We need timely intervention. We need God’s help for things to turn around.

Lawal Ishaq Majia, 59, Jigawa State, mason

I have been a bricklayer for the last 40 years and my hope is to see democracy work in Nigeria just like its working in other developed countries. Unfortunately, it is not working here. Looking critically at democracy in Nigeria today, you will find that current politicians are not the kind of politicians of the first or second Republics. Politicians like Sardauna and the likes were selfless and pragmatic whose characters if emulated by the contemporary politicians Nigeria would move forward and even human capital would have been developed. But here we are talking about the return of democracy for over 25 years, yet stable electricity is non-existent, water supply is zero. What then is democracy to a poor man? It has no meaning. The poor cannot afford education nowadays.

We never knew of kidnappings of travelers in the past, it is happening now. Today in the North, inter-tribal fighting is the order of the day, people are divided. Fulani and Hausa who until now inter-marry are made to be enemies in a democracy. Today you will see Fulani herdsmen in the bush brandishing dangerous and sophisticated weapons, abusing our governments.

I am not sure if our security operatives have such weapons. The way out is that our leaders must Fear Allah and give the citizens the right education and protection not their personal pockets.

Jacob Ajakaiye,59, Kano, journalist

Prior to the return to democracy in 1999, I had high hopes that the restoration of a civilian-led government in Nigeria would usher in national growth and development across all facets of our national life. I also anticipated that democracy would encourage inclusive participation in governance, promote national integration, and foster a more united and cohesive nation. However, more than 25 years into democratic governance, despite the efforts made under the current dispensation to achieve these aspirations, the reality remains that Nigeria is still far from achieving many of these goals. Nevertheless, at the sub-national level, particularly in Kano State where I reside, the return to democracy appears to have yielded significant benefits. This is evident in the remarkable improvements recorded in urban infrastructure and human capital development over the years.

Musa Abdullahi, 60, driver, Jos

Nothing much is working in the country, aside from the recent decrease in food prices, almost all aspects of human endeavors aren’t working as expected in Nigeria. Before 1999, we had effective democratic leadership where prices of goods and services were cheap and everything moved smoothly. But since the return of democracy in 1999, things have fallen apart. Our security architecture isn’t functioning because people in rural and urban communities aren’t safe, banditry and kidnapping are common. We cannot sleep with our eyes closed.

There’s no employment for our children who’ve attended school. Graduates are roaming the streets, and some have gotten into crime. If things were working, we wouldn’t be experiencing these atrocities.

I remember, before 1999, we had functional industries that employed thousands. Today, most have shut down, and thousands have lost jobs. Education isn’t effective; schools are in shambles with no staff. As far as I’m concerned, nothing much is working in the country.

Isaac Job, Uyo, writer /political analyst

The Fourth Republic in Nigeria started on a good note as Nigerians were waiting anxiously for civil rule after many years of military rule.

Unfortunately, soon after elections, ethnic politics, winners takes it all syndrome and party betrayals set in, which is setting us backward.We also have issues of insecurity all over the country, however, despite these issues, the Fourth Republic is on course and there are chances to correct mistakes in our journey towards achieving a successful democratic rule.

Maxist Kola Edokpayi, Talakawa Parliament

When you compare the fourth to the first to the second Republic and the third Republic we can conclude that we have not moved forward, because corruption is more now.

Nevertheless, there are some achievements although far below our expectations. In the 4th Republic, we expected steady electricity, improved economy, poverty reduction, free and fair election but the reverse is the case. Poverty is rife. We have not made much progress the way we ought to. Our founding fathers like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello among others wouldn’t be happy with Nigeria. For us to move forward, corruption should be tackled and there must be security, justice, free and fair elections and strong institutions.

Dada Ayokha, Lecturer

Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is the longest-lasting democratic dispensation in the country’s history. Unfortunately, things are not getting better compared to people’s expectations. We were told that the military took us back, but with 20 years in civil rule, the country seems to be retrogressing instead of progressing. The level of corruption and cost of governance is high compared to past republics. So, if one compares the level of corruption in the fourth republic, it surpasses the past three republics.

Politicians in the Fourth Republic are taking all that belongs to a state and now richer than the state. Also, the cost of maintaining elected and appointees now takes precedence over provision of infrastructure.

Bello Bada, Professor

What has worked since 1999? If you recall, that was when the EFCC was established. President Olusegun Obasanjo established EFCC, an admittance of corruption in Nigeria. From that time to date, this issue has not decreased rather it’s on the increase. Almost every four years, you really find out what is happening. Elections are becoming more and more expensive. The amount of money politicians spend trying to get voted into power is outrageous. Then there is the issue of insecurity. We are not saying there is nothing positive, there are a lot of positive things.For example, we have more and more private media houses now and we don’t rely on the government to know what is happening in or outside Nigeria and they are doing their best to educate the people.

Of course, we have so many educational institutions now but we have more graduates who have not been trained on how to employ themselves, and the government has no jobs for them.

Nura Attahiru, Civil Servant

Many things are wrong in our country. If you look at the health sector, most of our hospitals need renovation, medical equipment, and skilled personnel. In addition, our roads have become death traps. The loss of lives and property on the roads is beyond measure. It is important to fix them. The same applies to the education sector and other areas of life, such as security, where everyone knows the current situation. There are many problems, even though the government is making some effort on its part.

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