Donald Duke: Nigerians Better Off Under Military, Says Democracy Has Failed to Deliver

Former Cross River State governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, Donald Duke, has stated that Nigerians were better off under military rule. Duke made this assertion in an interview, questioning the benefits of democracy since its return to Nigeria in 1999. He argued that 27 years of civilian administration had imposed significant costs on the country without delivering substantial improvements in citizens' welfare.

Duke emphasized that the effectiveness of democracy should be measured by its impact on the well-being of Nigerians and the quality of services and infrastructure available to them. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of education, healthcare, and infrastructure, stating that these issues had not improved but rather deteriorated over the past 27 years.

Duke attributed the ongoing problems to failed governance and a weakened opposition, attributing the lack of a structured approach to addressing fundamental challenges to the political elite. He also criticized the electoral system, pointing out that contested elections often failed to reflect the preferences of voters, leading to disenchantment with the system.

Duke described Nigeria's democratic system as a pretence, highlighting the failure of key institutions to effectively check executive power. He cited the rapid approval of Nigeria's former national anthem as an example of inadequate legislative scrutiny. Duke attributed the shortcomings of the political system to the failure of Nigeria's elite to provide effective leadership.

He warned that the growing disparity between the rich and poor could threaten social stability, stating, "There was a time when I used to be in the National Economic Intelligence Committee and Professor Aluko used to say, proverbially, that a time is coming in this country when the rich won't sleep because the poor have not eaten.

I think the time is coming." Despite his criticism, Duke acknowledged that Nigeria possessed all the necessary resources to overcome its challenges.