Ethnic Politics vs. True Democracy: Professor Adele Jinadu Urges Ideological Renewal in Nigeria’s Political Landscape

Posted by Grace Abuh
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During  Electoral Reform Hour on Radio Nigeria, Professor Adele Jinadu, a distinguished political scientist and Chairperson of the Election Analysis Center at the Center for Democracy and Development, CDD, delivered a profound critique of Nigeria’s political landscape. Prof. Jinadu argued that Nigeria’s democracy is faltering due to the lack of ideology in its political parties, which he contends has led them to abandon true democratic principles.

“Since 1999, our political class has turned the national question which should be about the role of the state in society into an ethnic question. Once politics becomes ethnic-based, ideology, in terms of the role of the state, is sidelined,” he stated. Describing this shift as “a conspiracy among the political class to depoliticize the question of ideology,” he warned that the result is a fractured system where public welfare is replaced by ethnic allegiances. This, he noted, undermines Chapter 2 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which envisions a society based on justice, equality, and fairness.

Professor Jinadu criticized the lack of clarity and distinction among party manifestos, saying, “We have laws about political parties, but we don’t have political parties, even in the sense in which they are supposed to be there in the books. These are just shifting alliances of politicians who cross from one party to another, seeking access to the state.” He observed that rather than being based on ideological commitments, parties are fragmented along ethnic and financial lines, leading to a “money-driven politics” where influence is bought rather than earned. He referenced the 2023 elections as a telling example, where ethnic tensions and hate speech overshadowed discussions on policy.

In response to these challenges, Prof. Jinadu called for action, emphasizing the role of civil society in re-engaging citizens and fostering a culture of accountability. “We need to strengthen the guardrails of democracy in the country,” he urged, advocating for civil society organizations to move beyond advocating with politicians and focus on empowering everyday citizens. “Talk to the politicians, try to influence legislation, but also go to the people who are suffering. Go and work among them and raise their consciousness,” he advised.

In considering future reforms, Prof. Jinadu supported the idea of consolidating elections into a single day as a means to improve the electoral process and reduce costs. “I think the ultimate goal should be to have all elections in one day,” he said, adding that while it could streamline the process, there are logistical challenges. “The reality on the ground is a problem,” he explained, pointing to infrastructure issues, limited resources, and the logistical demands of running a nationwide election in one day. Nonetheless, he underscored that if implemented properly, this consolidation could strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by increasing voter participation and enhancing accountability.

Closing with a call to action, Prof. Jinadu stressed that for Nigeria’s democracy to flourish, political parties must commit to ideological principles that prioritize public interest and accountability over ethnic allegiance. “We must find a way to make political parties serve their purpose…to state clearly where they stand on issues,” he concluded, urging a collective movement to hold leaders accountable and reform Nigeria’s political culture from the ground up.

LISTEN TO THE FULL DISCUSSION HERE