John Iduh Blog

Oligarchical democracy describes a political system in which formal democratic institutions—elections, parliaments, and constitutions—exist, yet real political power is concentrated in the hands of a small elite. Unlike overt authoritarianism, oligarchical democracy maintains the appearance of popular participation while decision-making is largely inaccessible to ordinary citizens. It is a paradox of modern governance: democratic forms coexist with elite dominance. In my view, oligarchical democracy is both a structural and ideological phenomenon . Elections and parliaments provide legitimacy, yet access to political influence is restricted to wealthy, well-connected, or politically entrenched elites. Campaign financing, media control, and corporate lobbying further entrench their power, while citizens exercise formal rights that often produce outcomes aligned with elite interests rather than broad public welfare. Practical examples illustrate this dynamic. In Nigeria , political pow...

The question of whether neoliberalism is “dead or alive” cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Instead,  neoliberalism should be understood as a dynamic and evolving paradigm rather than a static ideological corpse. Neoliberalism emerged in the late 20th century as the world’s most dominant economic and political paradigm, rooted in principles of free markets, deregulation, privatization, and the reduced role of the state in economic life. Under leaders such as Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, and later in the policy frameworks of Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and others, neoliberal ideas reshaped global capitalism and governance. This influence stretched from advanced economies to transitional and developing states across Latin America, Asia, and Africa.  However, the global financial crisis of 2008–2009 marked a profound challenge to neoliberal orthodoxy. The crisis revealed vulnerabilities in laissez‑faire markets and financial systems, leading to econom...

Across many democracies, including Nigeria, declining trust in public institutions is becoming a critical challenge. When citizens no longer believe that governments act in their interest, it signals a broken social contract—a disconnect between the state and the people it serves. Without trust, even the best policies struggle to gain legitimacy, and social cohesion weakens. Leaders can address this crisis by prioritizing performance legitimacy . This means focusing on tangible service delivery, ethical leadership, and transparent governance. Citizens are more likely to trust institutions that consistently meet their basic needs, enforce the law fairly, and act with integrity. Performance, in this sense, becomes the foundation of political legitimacy, replacing empty promises or symbolic gestures. Non-governmental institutions play a complementary role in rebuilding trust. By facilitating citizen–state dialogue, promoting participatory governance, and creating spaces for community enga...

In today’s democracies, an active civil society and a vibrant media environment are more than just observers—they are essential engines of accountability. In countries like Nigeria, these actors often serve as the first line of defense against corruption, policy failure, and governance neglect. By amplifying citizen voices and scrutinizing government actions, they ensure that power is exercised responsibly. Governments can strengthen this accountability framework by creating formal channels for civic feedback. Platforms for citizen reporting, participatory budgeting, and regular town hall meetings allow the public to directly influence decision-making. When people see that their opinions matter, trust in institutions grows, and policies are implemented more effectively. Meanwhile, NGOs and media organizations provide the expertise and reach necessary to professionalize advocacy. Through data-driven research, investigative journalism, and policy monitoring, civil society can hold leader...

In many countries, including Nigeria, persistent security challenges—such as insurgency, banditry, and communal conflicts—have forced governments to prioritize stability over long-term development. While reactive militarization may contain immediate threats, it often fails to address the underlying causes of insecurity, leaving communities vulnerable and governance incomplete. Governments can shift from reactive approaches to preventive strategies that integrate human development with security planning. Addressing poverty, inequality, and social exclusion reduces the appeal of violence and strengthens community resilience. Investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and local economic opportunities can serve as long-term tools to prevent insecurity before it escalates into crisis. Non-governmental organizations and faith-based institutions also play a crucial role. They can facilitate deradicalization programs, provide trauma healing for affected communities, and promote soci...

In many democracies, including Nigeria, courts are increasingly playing a central role in resolving political disputes. From election challenges to party leadership conflicts, citizens often turn to the judiciary when trust in other institutions wanes. This trend, known as the judicialization of politics, reflects the public’s reliance on legal arbitration to protect rights and enforce accountability. Judicial institutions can use this heightened role to strengthen legitimacy and consolidate the rule of law. By improving efficiency, accelerating case resolution, and maintaining independence from political pressures, courts reinforce the idea that laws, not personalities, determine outcomes. Transparent procedures and predictable rulings enhance public confidence and deter arbitrary political maneuvers. Legal advocacy groups, civil society organizations, and educational institutions can complement this process by promoting access to justice and constitutional literacy. When citizens und...

The growing influence of money in politics has become one of the most visible threats to democratic governance. When electoral success is determined more by financial muscle than by ideas or competence, politics turns into an elite marketplace, shutting out capable candidates and weakening public trust. This trend exposes deep regulatory failures within political systems and calls for urgent reform. State institutions bear primary responsibility for addressing money politics. Electoral bodies and anti-corruption agencies must enforce clear campaign finance limits, mandatory disclosure requirements, and strict penalties for violations. Transparent reporting of donations and expenditures reduces the influence of illicit funding and helps level the playing field for candidates who rely on popular support rather than financial dominance. Civil society organizations and media institutions play an equally vital role in sustaining reform efforts. Through investigative journalism, watchdog gro...

 Ethno-regional politics is often portrayed as a major obstacle to national unity, especially in plural societies like Nigeria. Political competition shaped by ethnic, religious, and regional identities can deepen divisions and weaken a shared sense of nationhood. Yet, this reality also exposes a critical truth: demands for recognition and fairness are at the heart of ethno-regional bargaining, and addressing them is essential for stable governance. Rather than ignoring or suppressing these dynamics, governments can respond by institutionalizing inclusive representation. Balanced appointments across regions, transparent federal character principles, and regionally sensitive development frameworks help ensure that no group feels permanently excluded from power or resources. When citizens see themselves reflected in leadership and development priorities, political competition becomes less zero-sum and more cooperative. Non-governmental organizations have a complementary role in reduc...

Excessive centralization of political and fiscal power often undermines effective governance, particularly in diverse and populous states. When authority is concentrated at the center, decision-making becomes distant from local realities, slowing service delivery and weakening accountability. These inefficiencies highlight the case for functional federalism as a pathway to more responsive and development-oriented governance. National leaders can address overcentralization by devolving meaningful authority and fiscal autonomy to subnational governments. When states and local governments control greater portions of revenue and policy implementation, they are better positioned to respond to local needs in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security. Decentralization also strengthens accountability, as citizens can more directly observe and evaluate the performance of local leaders. Development partners, research institutions, and advocacy groups play a crucial role i...

  Persistent electoral distrust is one of the most serious challenges confronting democratic governance. When citizens doubt the credibility of elections, participation declines, legitimacy weakens, and political conflict intensifies. Yet this skepticism also provides a clear signal of where reform is required: transparency, accountability, and institutional credibility. Electoral institutions can rebuild public confidence by embracing openness at every stage of the electoral process. The use of transparent voter registers, real-time result transmission, and publicly accessible electoral data allows citizens and observers to verify outcomes independently. Technological tools, when properly deployed and audited, reduce human discretion and limit opportunities for manipulation. Just as important is independent oversight, including strengthened electoral tribunals and autonomous monitoring bodies capable of enforcing rules without political interference. Non-government institutions pl...

Rising youth engagement in public affairs signals a potential demographic dividend for societies undergoing political and social transition. In Nigeria, young people constitute a significant proportion of the population, and their increasing political awareness reflects both frustration with existing systems and a desire for meaningful participation. When properly harnessed, this energy can become a powerful driver of development rather than a source of instability. Governments play a central role in channeling youth engagement into constructive pathways. Structured civic programs such as national service initiatives, youth councils, and local governance internships can integrate young citizens into decision-making processes at the community level. By creating formal avenues for participation, the state moves youth involvement from episodic protest to sustained civic responsibility. Investments in digital innovation hubs and entrepreneurship programs further allow politically conscious...

In many emerging democracies, Nigeria included, political parties are often criticized for lacking clear ideological direction. They campaign without firm policy commitments, shift alliances easily, and revolve more around personalities than principles. While this erosion of ideology is commonly seen as a weakness, it also creates an unexpected opportunity for leadership renewal and political reform. When parties are not tightly bound to rigid doctrines, space opens for reform-minded leaders to emerge. Political elites can take advantage of this moment by institutionalizing internal democracy, promoting transparent primaries, and prioritizing merit over patronage in candidate selection. Parties that adopt clear, issue-based platforms on education, security, economic growth, and social welfare can differentiate themselves and regain public trust. Weak ideology also exposes the transactional nature of party politics, where loyalty is often exchanged for access to power. Yet this very con...

No regime lasts forever. Political orders arise from specific historical conditions, build momentum, and eventually decay toward an end point. Regimes emerge in moments of crisis or transformation, consolidate authority through institutions, ideology, and elite consensus, and often enjoy early legitimacy grounded in stability, growth, or charismatic leadership. Over time, however, these same structures can ossify. Institutions designed to govern become tools of exclusion, elites grow insulated from society, and adaptability gives way to rigidity. The Maduro regime in Venezuela illustrates this trajectory. Born from the populist legitimacy of Chavismo, it has survived through militarization, patronage, and repression, even as economic collapse and mass emigration hollow out its social base. Similarly, the Islamic Republic of Iran, forged through revolutionary fervor in 1979, now confronts deep legitimacy crises marked by generational protest, economic strain, and reliance on coercion o...