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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Strong institutions key to democracy survival – Basiru

From The Punch · (Apr 24) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Dr. Ajibola Basiru stated that elections alone are insufficient for sustaining democracy or ensuring good governance, emphasizing the need for strong institutions and ethical leadership.
  • He argued that while elections, constitutions, and formal institutions provide the framework, true democratic sustenance relies on integrity, accountability, and transparency.
  • Basiru called for a shift in mindset, viewing citizens and leaders as custodians of democratic values, and urged both emerging and established democracies to address governance gaps and declining public trust.

Speaking at Coventry University in the United Kingdom, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC), offered a nuanced perspective on the survival of democracy. Basiru cautioned against reducing democracy solely to electoral procedures, asserting that credible elections, while essential, are not a panacea for good governance or democratic longevity. His paper, shared with our correspondent, delves into the deeper requirements for robust democratic systems, particularly in emerging and developing nations.

Democracy cannot be reduced to procedures alone. Elections, constitutions and formal institutions provide the necessary architecture, but they do not, in themselves, guarantee meaningful governance or citizen trust.

— Dr Ajibola BasiruDr. Basiru explained the limitations of electoral democracy during his paper presentation.

Basiru's core argument centers on the indispensable role of strong institutions, ethical leadership, and a unified sense of purpose among citizens. He posited that these elements, coupled with unwavering integrity, accountability, and transparency, are the true bedrock upon which democratic credibility and resilience are built. The APC scribe warned that even systems with seemingly sound formal structures can erode in substance if ethical standards decline and institutional accountability falters, a trend he identified as contributing to democratic backsliding globally.

Strong institutions, ethical leadership and a shared sense of purpose among citizens sustain democracy and promote good governance.

— Dr Ajibola BasiruDr. Basiru outlined the key components for sustaining democracy.

From a Nigerian perspective, Basiru's address resonates deeply. While our nation has made strides in electoral processes, the challenges of institutional weakness, corruption, and a sometimes-fractured sense of national purpose remain significant hurdles. His call for citizens and leaders to act as 'custodians' of democratic values, rather than mere participants, is a vital reminder that the responsibility for safeguarding our democracy extends far beyond election day. This message, delivered on an international stage, highlights a critical conversation happening within Nigeria about how to move beyond procedural democracy towards a more substantive and enduring form of governance that truly serves the people.

Where integrity, accountability and transparency are upheld, institutions gain credibility and resilience.

— Dr Ajibola BasiruDr. Basiru emphasized the importance of core values in strengthening institutions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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