All things considered; it may be argued that Nigeria is probably more democratic than the Western world.
Let us use the world’s most “advanced” democracies – the US and the UK – to drive home the point.
In the US regardless of the outcome of the popular vote, it is the electoral college of only 538 electors that eventually elects the President of the United States – a country of over 328 million people.
In 2016 US presidential election, Hillary Clinton scored higher than Donald Trump in the popular vote. She polled 65,853,516; Trump 62,984,825, but it was the electoral college of 538 members who decided that Trump was President. Trump polled 304 electoral votes to Hillary’s 234. He became president despite scoring less than Hillary in the popular vote.
In the UK, general election does not get conducted for the office of the Prime Minister – the highest political office in the land. It is elected members of the Parliament who decide who becomes Prime Minister.
Even at that, it is the party with majority members in the parliament who elects the Prime Minister who then forms the government. Which means fewer (still) members of parliament decide who becomes Prime Minister. The people do not have direct say in who becomes their Prime Minister!
Not so in Nigeria. In our country, it is the people who decide who becomes their President. We may argue about the processes and happenings in-between, but it is the people who directly decide who becomes President of the country – the person with the most vote cast.
So, since Democracy is a game of numbers, and “a government of the people, by the people and for the people” it may be argued that indeed, Nigeria is more democratic than the US and the UK. You may argue with your keypad.
Perhaps what makes these two so-called advanced democracies more attractive is that the rule of law works perfectly over there. Unlike in our clime.
So, while we can be said to be more democratic, they can be said to be more inclined to allowing their laws, institutions, and processes to work. It is my wish that someday we shall arrive at that trajectory. And Nigeria would be truly a beauty to behold.
