Which has served Nigeria better? The military regime or the civilian regime? Babangida and his cohorts milked the country dry, but really were they worse off than their civilan predecessors, Shagari and the other guy who crowed that Nigerians are yet to eat from the dustbin? Buhari and his partner, Idiagbon's attempt to restore order and dignity in the lives of Nigerians were met with strong criticism and allegations of abuse of civil rights. There, Nigeria went downhill with the regime of Abacha who pilfered the country so badly that his death was met with celebration from some quarters. Obansanjo, hailed as an agent of change descended into ignominy when he tried to run for a third term. Yaradua, whose ascent was also greeted with aplomb and dismay has managed to stay away from the limelight. But governors like Fashola and Duke, all products of the civilian regime have done remarkably for their home state.

Which regime is suited best for Nigerian? To me, it's irrelevant (though in an ideal world, democracy, which is the govenment of the people by the people ,  Guess America does not live upto that idealized image it portrays with the electoral college in part), as long as the right person rules the country. He could be a military guy, a civilian guy, or even a socialist guy!

not even close, democracy hands down. When Nigerians wake up they will appreciate the institutes of democracy that they have if they choose to stick with it. Look at India, Brazil and (America in the late 19th century) All of these places don't have the best democracies but they've been strengthened over the years. Nigeria's democracy will get stronger if allowed to grow and mature. Military rule and top-down rule in General is bound for failure.

tunku:

not even close, democracy hands down. When Nigerians wake up they will appreciate the institutes of democracy that they have if they choose to stick with it. Look at India, Brazil and (America in the late 19th century) All of these places don't  have the best democracies but they've been strengthened over the years. Nigeria's democracy will get stronger if allowed to grow and mature. Military rule and top-down rule in General is bound for failure.

Bound for failure? To me, I'd rather be governed by a caring leader, irrespective of whether he is a military or civilian leader. I am sure that most people would agree with me. Of what point would it be to elect a democratic president and he proves to be a disappointment, unlike, lets assume a military leader, who has the welfare of the masses at heart?

The problem is one of institutions versus personalities. Military rule devolves into nothing but a personal fiefdom for whoever is ruling it, but what happens when that leader dies and he was running the state on a whim rather than building institutions that can survive bad leadership. I'd rather have the option of voting out bad leaders every four years rather than praying that colonell izzi is a kind leader. If you want to see the failure of military rule even when it is good just look towards Yugoslavia after Tito's death. Why do you think that Nigeria is in such a bind anyways if not for the misrule of military government? Democracies aren't perfect and occasionally you get very bad leadership but in the end it is a better system because it doesn't saddle you with people like IBB, Abacha, Obasanjo, and yes even Yar'dua for a lifetime.

what we have now is not democratic. people are not allowed to vote and if they do it counts for nothing as the polls are massively rigged. the country is far worse than in 1999. for me i would rather have the government pre1999 than the crap there is at present. at least we know we are in a dictatorship and not one masquerading as a civilian

Military by their training and mental set up are not trained in diversity of politics and opinions, once battle line is drawn, enemy position identified, they go for the kill.

Civilian on the other hand(in Nigeria), have no training or discpline for good governace. They are just registered thieves and licenced fraudsters. Criminals and comedians that live in the community rather than maximum prisons.

What is missing in Nigeria  is LEADERSHIP WITH VISION.

You have to have a leader that will subtly carry even the most difficult people along to a destination that will improve the lives of the majority.

SEEN as the saying goes, is believing. A good leader must plan and take actions on landmark identifiable things that the people can see and know that their leader is thinking about them now and for the future.

Naturally civilian is the best to negotiate position without resulting to arms, however, in the nation building, if you have a good military leaders temporarily to set the stage for the futute selflessly it will not be a bad idea,

Whether we have such leader(s) or we can have it in Nigeria is another matter.

tunku:

The problem is one of institutions versus personalities. Military rule devolves into nothing but a personal fiefdom for whoever is ruling it, but what happens when that leader dies and he was running the state on a whim rather than building institutions that can survive bad leadership. I'd rather have the option of voting out bad leaders every four years rather than praying that colonell izzi is a kind leader. If you want to see the failure of military rule even when it is good just look towards Yugoslavia after Tito's death. Why do you think that Nigeria is in such a bind anyways if not for the misrule of military government? Democracies aren't perfect and occasionally you get very bad leadership but in the end it is a better system because it doesn't saddle you with people like IBB, Abacha, Obasanjo, and yes even Yar'dua for a lifetime.

Excellent point!

I don't think this democracy thing is for everybody. Some nations has too many sub-human residence. They only do the right thing by force.

Sweet T:

I don't think this democracy thing is for everybody. Some nations has too many sub-human residence. They only do the right thing by force.

Granted, it's not a one size fit all, but Tunku rightly stated that it helps prevent dictatorship that could occur when the incumbent leader dies with no heir apparent. And if its practise is enshrined in Nigeria, it will go a long way in ensuring transparency and accountability.

I will use Real Estate analogy here, LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. (Good location).

For governace it is LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP,  of course GOOD LEADERSHIP

Now for any democracy to thrive according to one of the contributor, it is the building of INSTITUTIONS rather than personalities (which is sadly what we have in Nigeria)

I will look at it this way

1. GOOD LEADERSHIP ( and a selfless one) who equally mentors a next generations of leaders ( NO LIPS SERVICE)

2. GOOD, STRONG,  VIBRANT INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS AND SYSTEMS - eg INEC, LEGISLATURE, JUDICIARY, COUNCIL OF LEADERS/ELDER STATEMEN

3. EDUCATION AND (re) ORIENTATION OF THE CITIZENS ( Leaders  or people preaching this must lead by example, there must not be one rule for the leader and another rule for the followers. It should always be  DO AS I DO AND NOT DO AS I SAY ).

4. CLEAR PLAN AND VISION AS TO WHERE THE COUNTRY IS HEADING- this is why every good nation has a ministry for NATIONAL PLANNING, and possibly a MASTER PLAN. take ABUJA city master plan, when it was follow we all knew what happens. Human being like and need certainty to a very great extent for planning and believing in a system. You will not fly an Aircraft if you are not nearly sure of its safety.

Most of the time , most of the above is always present with the Military because of the nature of their job and Training, BUT  at all times, MILITARY authorities ARE AND SHOULD BE SURBODINATE TO THE CIVILIAN AUTHORITY.

bump!

I am for any system of government that will see to the well-being of subjects, brings socio-politico-economic growth, encourages entrepreneurship, supports infrastructural development, upholds the inalienable rights of the citizens and weighs heavily on education.

Dede1:

I am for any system of government that will see to the well-being of subjects, brings socio-politico-economic growth, encourages entrepreneurship, supports infrastructural development, upholds the inalienable rights of the citizens and weighs heavily on education.

QED

I think the best available option for us now is to copy the chinese system of government.democrazy has done us no good at all.checkout pdp !

The worst form of democracy is better and preferrable to the "best" dictatorship,hence we must not allow dictators like Buhari,who do not know a thing about democracy to come back and rule this country again

I dislike military government but what good has democrazy done to Nigeria ?

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