Democracy Failing Due to Disconnect from Cultural Heritage, Says Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, provided an explanation for the apparent decline of democracy in Nigeria, despite its recognition as the best form of government worldwide.

Speaking at The Platform Nigeria, an event organized by Covenant Nation, a Lagos-based church, to commemorate Democracy Day in 2024, the clergyman highlighted the disparity between Nigeria’s democracy and that of Europe.

Unlike Europe, where democratic principles were established based on the ideas of renowned philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle, Nigeria’s democracy lacks a foundation rooted in the country’s historical, cultural, and anthropological experiences.

Kukah emphasized that modern liberal democracy, as we understand it today, owes much to the teachings and philosophies of scholars like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. He noted that even Joe Biden, in his presidential address, quoted St. Augustine, underscoring the influence of these scholars on the foundation of democracy.

Regrettably, Nigeria’s democracy is currently in decline and recession because it is evident that the system in place does not align with the country’s own historical, cultural, or anthropological experiences.

Kukah also pointed out that Nigerians’ fixation on politics prevents them from thinking beyond the immediate future, as their attention is solely focused on the politics of the present rather than considering long-term implications.

While acknowledging the global economic recession, Kukah attributed its exacerbated impact in Nigeria to mismanagement. He argued that this situation could have been avoided if Nigerian legislators were more attentive to their responsibilities, rather than being preoccupied with other matters.