University Don, Dr. Chukwu Questions Celebrations of Democracy Dividends

Dr. Joe Chukwu, a respected academic and Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), has stirred national discourse with a social media post questioning the rationale behind the annual celebration of “democracy dividends” in Nigeria.

Dr. Chukwu expressed concern over what he described as the wasteful spending of public funds on lavish ceremonies and goodwill messages marking years of democratic governance.

According to him, the public display of gratitude for basic governmental responsibilities reflects a misunderstanding of the true essence of democracy and governance.

“The so-called ‘democracy dividends’ — roads, electricity, water, and security — are not privileges or gifts from government, but the basic rights of citizens,” he wrote. “These are obligations rooted in the social contract between the government and the people and should not be subjects of celebration.”

Drawing from classical political theory, Dr. Chukwu referenced thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and especially John Locke, who emphasized that government exists to serve the people by protecting their rights and maintaining order.

He stressed that when this contract is breached, citizens not only have the right but also the responsibility to demand accountability — and, if necessary, revoke the social contract.

“Instead of spending public resources on frivolous celebrations, we should be examining the terms of the contract, interrogating every line of government performance, and holding leaders accountable,” he stated.

Dr. Chukwu also criticized the contrast between Nigeria’s approach to democratic anniversaries and that of established democracies like the United States, noting that the latter focuses more on institutional performance and citizen engagement rather than extravagant celebrations.

SEE FULL POST

SHOULD WE REALLY CELEBRATE “DEMOCRACY DIVIDENDS”?

The media have been awash with frenzy celebrations through goodwill messages to various states and federal governments, congratulating the various leaders for harvest of “democracy dividends” in the past two years. This has been a recurrent decimal since the advent of democracy in 1999.

To me, the outlandish financial resources budgeted and spent on this revelry is a stupendous waste. What we term “democracy dividends” is nothing but the rightful apertunances of citizens and is actually the fulfillment of the social contract entered into by various tiers of government with the people. Does it call for celebration? NO.

No listen. the concept of the social contract is pact that explains the origin of society and the legitimacy of governmental authority. This posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a society and establish a governing body in exchange for protection of their rights and maintenance of social order. This spells out the rights of citizens, and the responsibilities of governments.

Provision of social amenities- roads, water and electricity as well as security of lives and property are part of the contract not dividends.

The propounders of this theory, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and especially John Locke was more radical in adding that if the contract is observed in the breach, citizens have the right to revoke the contract, if possible by force.

Let us therefore bear in mind that instead of celebrating, we should rather be flipping through the terms of the contract, interrogating every aspect of the contract, asking questions, and holding governments accountable on the implementation of all the ramifications of the contract.

America from where we imported our presidential system of government do not squander their riches in this frivolous quaffing and ceremony.

#joechukwu

@highlight