Politics
Democracy as a Prerequisite to Development: A Complex Relationship
Democracy as a Prerequisite to Development: A Complex Relationship
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The age-old debate on whether democracy is a prerequisite for development continues to divide political thinkers, economists, and development practitioners across the globe. While some argue that democratic governance is indispensable for meaningful and inclusive development, others point to the dramatic economic transformation of non-democratic states as evidence that democracy, though desirable, is not necessarily a precondition for prosperity. What is undeniable, however, is that the relationship between democracy and development is anything but linear—it is deeply complex, context-dependent, and riddled with contradictions.
The Case For Democracy as a Prerequisite to Development
1. Accountability and Transparency
At the heart of democratic governance is accountability. Elected leaders, conscious of the electorate’s power to remove them from office, are often compelled to act in the interest of the people. Transparency becomes not just an ideal but a necessity. Institutions such as the judiciary, legislature, press, and civil society act as watchdogs, exposing corruption and ensuring checks and balances.
As former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once noted:
“Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.”
This is evident in nations like Finland, Canada, and New Zealand—consistently ranked among the least corrupt and most developed countries in the world. The World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023) show a direct correlation between democratic accountability and control of corruption.
2. Protection of Human Rights
Democracy provides the institutional framework for safeguarding human rights, including civil liberties, freedom of speech, gender equality, and access to healthcare and education. These rights are not just moral imperatives; they are development accelerators.
Political philosopher Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics, argues:
“Development requires the removal of major sources of unfreedom… the denial of political liberty, the neglect of public facilities, and the intolerance or overactivity of repressive states.”
In other words, democracy isn’t just a value; it’s a vehicle for human progress. Countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Denmark—where democratic institutions ensure access to social services and rule of law—consistently top the Human Development Index.
3. Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Democracies tend to foster environments where innovation thrives. Freedom of thought, speech, and association—hallmarks of democratic systems—encourage creativity and entrepreneurship. Start-ups, think tanks, and civil society groups flourish in open societies where information flows freely and the rule of law is upheld.
Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel-winning economist, emphasized this dynamic:
“A vibrant civil society is necessary for economic development, and it is best supported by democratic institutions.”
The United States, with its open democratic environment, remains a hub of technological innovation. According to the Global Innovation Index 2023, democratic countries dominate the top ten, linking political freedom with innovative capacity.
4. Social Justice and Equality
Democracy, when functional, allows historically marginalized voices to be heard. Through electoral representation, legislative action, and judicial recourse, democracies work—however slowly—toward greater inclusion.
South Africa’s post-apartheid transition is a clear example. Nelson Mandela, in his inaugural speech, reminded the world:
“Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.”
While the country still struggles with inequality, democracy has provided the tools for continuous reform and dialogue—a contrast to authoritarian regimes where dissent is often criminalized.
The Case Against Democracy as a Prerequisite to Development
1. Economic Growth Without Democracy
History is replete with examples of nations that achieved spectacular economic growth without democratic governance. The People’s Republic of China is perhaps the most cited. Since initiating economic reforms in 1978, China has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, according to the World Bank.
Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father, famously stated:
“I do not believe that democracy necessarily leads to development. I believe what a country needs to develop is discipline more than democracy.”
Singapore, under his leadership, transformed from a struggling port to one of the most efficient and developed economies globally—without full political liberalism.
2. Authoritarian Efficiency
Proponents of authoritarian development argue that such regimes can implement long-term policies without the disruptions of electoral politics. They can bypass political gridlock and enforce discipline in public administration.
This sentiment is echoed by political scientist Fareed Zakaria, who warned:
“Democracy is flourishing; liberty is not. Many democracies have become illiberal, where elections are held but civil liberties are absent.”
Authoritarian regimes often tout their efficiency, but that efficiency can come at the cost of liberty, human dignity, and sustainability.
3. Cultural and Historical Context
Not all societies are culturally or historically aligned with Western democratic values. Attempts to impose democratic structures on societies with complex traditional governance systems often yield chaos instead of order.
As African scholar Mahmood Mamdani puts it:
“Democratization without decolonization is a form of recolonization.”
Countries like Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan demonstrate how fragile and dangerous externally imposed democracy can be when not aligned with indigenous socio-political realities.
Democratic Successes and Authoritarian Exceptions
There is no shortage of success stories on either side of the divide. Norway, ranked first on the Human Development Index (UNDP 2023), exemplifies the best of democratic governance: transparency, prosperity, and equality. Its wealth, including oil revenue, is managed through one of the most transparent sovereign wealth funds globally.
Conversely, China’s economic miracle—despite its authoritarian political structure—cannot be dismissed. President Xi Jinping asserts that China’s model represents an alternative path:
“We have found a development path that suits China’s national conditions and reflects the will of the Chinese people.”
Still, authoritarian regimes often face hidden vulnerabilities. Venezuela, under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, squandered its oil wealth and plunged into hyperinflation and humanitarian crisis—proof that centralized control without accountability can be devastating.
Conclusion: Context Is King
To assert that democracy is always a prerequisite to development is to ignore the intricate and diverse pathways nations take. Yet to discard democracy as irrelevant is to flirt with the erosion of rights, freedoms, and dignity.
Democracy—when it works—is the best system for balancing growth with human freedom, equity, and justice. But it must be supported by strong institutions, civic culture, legal integrity, and responsible leadership.
In the words of former U.S. President Barack Obama:
“Development depends on good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places for far too long. That’s the change that can unlock Africa’s potential.”
In the final analysis, development requires more than roads and GDP growth. It requires justice, participation, and freedom. Whether under democratic rule or otherwise, what ultimately matters is whether power is used to serve the people—not oppress them.
The Grip of Godfathers: How Political Puppeteers Hijacked Nigeria’s 2023 Elections
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In any genuine democracy, power flows from the people to their leaders. But in Nigeria, especially in the 2023 general elections, this democratic ideal was once again hijacked by an entrenched system of political godfatherism—an unholy alliance of oligarchs, kingmakers, and shadowy puppeteers who wield immense influence over who gets elected and who gets crushed. The result is a democracy disfigured by greed, betrayal, and manipulation.
The Anatomy of Godfatherism in Nigeria
Godfatherism in Nigerian politics is not new. Since the return to democracy in 1999, it has played a dominant role in shaping the political landscape. Godfathers are wealthy political elites—often former governors, military officers, or businessmen—who sponsor candidates into power in exchange for loyalty, contracts, and control of state resources. As Professor Attahiru Jega, former INEC chairman, once noted, “Nigeria’s elections are not necessarily won by popularity or competence but by who controls the political machinery” (Jega, 2022).
The 2023 elections were a glaring manifestation of this disease. Across the country, from Lagos to Kano, Rivers to Delta, godfathers imposed candidates, manipulated primaries, and dictated outcomes with impunity. It wasn’t about manifestos or merit; it was about loyalty to the political mafia.
Lagos: The Jagaban Effect
Nowhere was godfatherism more pronounced than in Lagos State. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the self-acclaimed “Jagaban of Borgu” and national leader of the APC, has maintained a vice-like grip on Lagos politics since 1999 (TheCable, 2023). In 2023, he ascended to the presidency not by a groundswell of popular support but by orchestrating a brutal, well-funded political machine that bulldozed its way through party primaries and general elections.
Despite throwing the full weight of his influence behind the APC candidate for governor, the Labour Party made historic gains in Lagos, defeating APC in the presidential vote within Tinubu’s stronghold (INEC Official Results, 2023). Yet, voter suppression, intimidation, and ethnic incitement marred the subsequent gubernatorial polls—underscoring how far godfathers will go to maintain control (Amnesty International, 2023).
As Chinua Achebe once warned, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership” (Achebe, 1983). That leadership failure is deeply tied to the stranglehold of political godfathers who prioritize personal gain over national progress.
Northern Nigeria: The Invisible Hands
In the North, political godfatherism took a more insidious form. Former military generals and entrenched politicians, particularly those from Buhari’s camp, played strategic roles in determining party tickets and political deals. The G5 governors’ rebellion in PDP—led by Wike, Ortom, Makinde, Ugwuanyi, and Ikpeazu—was itself a godfatherist power play aimed at disrupting national party consensus (Vanguard, 2023).
In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike turned the state into a battleground of interests, publicly undermining his own party while negotiating backdoor deals with APC. The resulting electoral confusion led to disputed results and a fractured political environment (Premium Times, 2023).
The Electoral Betrayal of the Masses
INEC’s failure to transmit election results electronically despite promising to do so under the 2022 Electoral Act was a monumental betrayal. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), hailed as a game-changer, was abandoned during collation, opening the door to rigging (European Union Election Observation Mission, 2023).
The “Obidient” movement, powered by youth disillusionment and the candidacy of Peter Obi, gave millions of Nigerians hope. But that hope was crushed not just by INEC’s failure but by the deeply entrenched political oligarchs who feared losing power to the people.
As political scientist Robert Michels observed in his “Iron Law of Oligarchy,” “Who says organization, says oligarchy.” Nigerian parties, structured around godfathers, operate not as democratic institutions but as authoritarian vehicles of personal ambition.
The Tragedy of Compromise and Silence
Most tragic is the normalization of this dysfunction. Religious leaders, traditional rulers, and even the judiciary have often chosen silence or convenient neutrality. But as Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka rightly declared, “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny” (Soyinka, 1972). In 2023, silence was louder than outrage.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s hands-off approach to post-election violence and widespread irregularities further eroded public confidence. Despite pledging to leave a legacy of free and fair elections, Buhari’s silence on INEC’s failures and his party’s abuses was deafening.
The Cost of Godfatherism
The cost of godfatherism is not just political—it is economic and social. It kills initiative, breeds incompetence, and facilitates corruption. When leaders are beholden to patrons, they have little incentive to serve the people.
The World Bank reports that Nigeria has lost over $400 billion to corruption since independence (World Bank, 2022). A significant portion of this is tied to godfather networks and political patronage. State capture, contract fraud, inflated budgets, and ghost projects are the legacy of politicians who serve their funders, not their constituents.
A Way Forward: Breaking the Chains
To dismantle the system of godfatherism, Nigeria must reform its institutions. INEC must be truly independent, immune from executive or legislative interference. Political party financing should be transparent and audited. Civil society must hold leaders accountable, and the media must stop being megaphones for political propaganda.
Political parties should internalize democracy—allowing primaries to be decided by merit, not by money or manipulation. As Nelson Mandela once said, “A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy” (Mandela, 1994). The Nigerian media must rise to this responsibility.
Voter education is essential. Citizens must understand their power and refuse to sell their votes. The success of the “Not Too Young To Run” Act and the rise of youth-led political activism in 2023 prove that the tide can turn—but only with sustained resistance.
Conclusion: A Call to Reclaim Democracy
Nigeria cannot move forward while her politics remains in the chokehold of godfathers. The 2023 elections should not just be remembered as a contest of candidates but as a referendum on whether Nigerians are truly free to choose their leaders.
As Dora Akunyili once said, “We must fight for the soul of our nation.” That fight must be waged at the ballot box, in the courts, on the streets, and in our hearts. The era of godfatherism must end—for democracy, development, and dignity to thrive in Nigeria.
_Sylvester is a prolific writer and political analyst; He writes from Johannesburg._
Just in: China Erases Nigeria:
A Diplomatic Earthquake or a Wake-Up Call?
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Introduction: A Shocking Move from Beijing
In a move that has stunned the international community, the People’s Republic of China has taken an audacious and provocative diplomatic step:
Removed Nigeria from its official land map
Deactivated Nigerian presence on Chinese apps like WeChat and Weibo
Shut down the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing
Recalled its ambassador from Abuja
These actions are not just a geopolitical insult, they are a direct challenge to the legitimacy of Nigeria as a sovereign state.
Beijing’s Provocation: “Nigeria Has Expired”
According to the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Nigeria was a colonial construct designed to exist for only 100 years, referencing the 1914 British amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates. Their chilling statement read:
“Nigeria’s continued existence has no historical or legal foundation. It is an expired project being manipulated by a corrupt elite.”
This unprecedented dismissal of a country’s legitimacy by a major power is deeply disturbing and diplomatically irresponsible.
Sovereignty Under Threat: A Dangerous Precedent
China’s actions violate several principles of international law, including:
The United Nations Charter (Article 2): Respect for the sovereignty of all member states
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961)
The African Union Constitutive Act (2000)
This move sends a dangerous message: that powerful nations can now erase weaker states based on selective historical interpretations.
Hypocrisy at Its Peak: China’s Double Standards
Beijing’s stance reeks of hypocrisy. China is itself a union of vastly different regions and ethnic groups:
Tibet and Xinjiang are held through military suppression.
Hong Kong is governed under the contentious “One Country, Two Systems.”
Taiwan, which China claims, is a fully functioning democratic entity.
How does a country that brutally suppresses secessionist sentiments now justify dismantling Nigeria for the same reasons it opposes in its own territories?
A Wake-Up Call for Nigeria’s Leadership
As painful as this is, Nigeria must reflect on why such an insult was possible in the first place. Over the last decade, the country has deteriorated in almost every global index:
Key Statistics (2015–2024):
Unemployment: Rose from 9.9% in 2015 to over 33.3% in 2023 (NBS)
Poverty: Over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty (NBS, 2022)
Exchange rate: Naira devalued from ₦199/$1 in 2015 to over ₦1,600/$1 in 2024
Minimum wage: ₦30,000 ($18 monthly equivalent), yet unpaid in over 20 states
Debt to China: Over $4 billion owed, much of it collateralized (DMO, 2023)
Terrorism: Boko Haram, banditry, and IPOB violence still unchecked
China’s declaration may be diplomatically outrageous, but it exposes a fundamental truth: Nigeria has failed to act as a nation-state.
Weaponized Economics: China’s Neo-Colonial Grip China’s economic involvement in Africa has long raised concerns about debt diplomacy and economic colonization. Nigeria, like many African states, fell into Beijing’s web:
Railway projects: Over $2.5 billion funded by Chinese banks
Airport terminals: Chinese-built and financed with opaque terms
Sovereignty clauses: Some loan agreements allegedly waive immunity over critical assets in disputes
If China halts funding or demands repayments, Nigeria’s fragile economy could face collapse.
African Solidarity Needed Now
The silence from African governments has been deafening. If Nigeria, the largest economy and most populous country in Africa, can be humiliated this way, then no African state is safe.
The African Union must:
Convene an emergency summit
Demand a full apology and diplomatic reversal from China
Consider sanctions or diplomatic retaliations if China persists
This is not just a Nigerian issue, it is an African existential crisis.
The Deafening Silence of the West
Western nations, typically vocal about human rights and sovereignty, have responded with vague platitudes. The UK—Nigeria’s former colonizer has said nothing meaningful. The US State Department simply urged “calm.”
This lack of global outcry reflects how far Nigeria has fallen in international relevance. A once-powerful voice in the Non-Aligned Movement, a key peacekeeping contributor, and regional stabilizer is now seen as a failed state.
The Identity Crisis: Who Is a Nigerian?
Beijing’s criticism touches a nerve: Nigeria’s identity crisis.
Over 250 ethnic groups
Three major religions with deep divisions.
Electoral politics driven by tribalism and zoning, not competence.
Secessionist agitations in the South East (IPOB), South West (Yoruba Nation), and Niger Delta
More than a century after amalgamation, there is still no unifying national vision. If China’s insult triggers a much-needed national debate, it could be a blessing in disguise.
From Humiliation to Rebirth
China’s erasure of Nigeria from its map and communication networks is outrageous, unlawful, and racist. But it is also a moment of reckoning.
*Nigeria must now:*
Reclaim its dignity through good governance
Rebuild national unity with a people-first constitution
Diversify its economy to reduce dependence on exploitative powers
Assert itself diplomatically as Africa’s true leader
This is not the end, it could be the beginning of Nigeria’s long-overdue transformation.
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