By Dennis Agbo
ENUGU — Founder of Lagos Business School, Prof Pat Utomi, has warned that Nigeria is facing a serious democratic challenge as declining public confidence in the electoral process threatens the stability of the country.
Utomi spoke at the ongoing 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) in Enugu.
He said elections derived much of their legitimacy from citizens’ confidence in the process through which leaders were chosen, stressing that sustained distrust in the electoral system could weaken democratic governance.
Utomi expressed concern over what he described as growing public tolerance of alleged irregularities in elections, warning that continued acceptance of such practices could gradually make abnormal electoral practices appear normal.
He questioned the implications of a situation where citizens lose confidence in elections but continue to accept governments produced through processes they consider defective.
According to him, sustained loss of confidence in democratic institutions could eventually create instability and weaken the foundations of democracy.
He cited the experiences of countries such as Sudan and Somalia as reminders of the consequences that could arise when political and institutional systems deteriorate.
Utomi also stressed the importance of clear and precise laws, saying legislation must be sufficiently unambiguous to enable citizens and institutions to understand and apply it consistently.
He urged editors to recognise the critical role of the media in sustaining democracy, calling on them to use journalism to scrutinise institutions, inform citizens and promote accountability.
The professor said the media had an important responsibility to help citizens understand the workings of democratic institutions and demand accountability from those entrusted with public authority.
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