THE POLITICAL PANDEMONIUM IN WEST AFRICA

Treachery, deceit and shenanigans perhaps becomes the key tenet of most political Elites in most western African countries,as a pretext for a better democratic community and a feasible constitutional process are used as notable means to arrive at their basic political interest amongst others. Countries having weak and unstable political system(mostly the underdeveloped countries), have been known to be victims of such chaotic acts. The question of how to curb this political disorder becomes the contention of contemporary political analysts, as inquiries and several methodologies have been employed so as to formulate theories that would explain and as well put an end to such deleterious state of nature. This article seeks to articulate some notable defects of some western political structures,its effect and refer solution so as to contain the situation to avoid catastrophe in times to come. My case study Nigeria being a subservient state of the United Kingdom, operates a federal structure and a presidential system of government having periodically conducted elections in order to effect change to the tenure of official posts as stipulated by its constitution, still battles with the aforementioned crises in its political structure. The idea of authoritatively allocating values for the interest of the entire populace residing in the territory no longer becomes the bone of contention but the question of who gets what, when and how rather becomes the order the day. Thus, the political Elites of the sovereign nation assert that in politics morality portrays weakness while rationality describes the will power. This then explains why its Democratic system is not built on the principles of “Egalitarianism” rather on a system i call KAKISTOCRACY(Arbitrary rule). One could see why the country’s political structure cant be referred to by Analysts as an epitome of a desirable political model which sets standards among its peers in the international ground. Going further to establish the idea of “KAKISTOCRACY”, a quick run down the history of the country’s democratic structure, particularly during the early 20th century brings about cases wherein the Ideology was employed. The series of coup d’etat witnessed in the country’s political structure gave notable instances where the concept was established as it led to several military interventions truncating the civilian governmental regimes. Approaching it from a psychological perspective,the Military personnel are professionally trained in a manner that appears very rigid thus, on their ascension,they diffuse those principles to the civilians which then comes in form of ‘decrees’ as against the dictates of a Democratic model which affect their political cultural context. Aside Nigeria, today several countries in West Africa were found wanting in this effect. Really, corruption has eaten-deep into the political structure, bewildering virtually all its Political Elites. Research proved that democratization has been diffused into almost all Western African countries, introducing periodic elections as it constitutes a major factor for a reform in any Government, having franchise as the right given to vote, yet the individuals tend to vote in quantity and not quality. Most Politicians lack political prowess and so the effect of this describes the pandemonium we witness today. Analysts, Critics and Political scientists have come to an understanding and put together this synopsis that if any country both the Political elites and its citizen would develop a positive mindset towards their goal not being propelled by Money or fame but by a well defined legacy, the question of corruption would be at its barest. Until the Orientation is changed, the status quo built on corruption and shenanigans remains a contending factor in d Western African political setting, particularly in Nigeria.

Author: #TSU Communicator II