Some stakeholders have called on the government at all levels in Nigeria to deliver more of the dividends of democracy, including improved living standards and security.

The respondents shared their views on democratic consolidation since 1999 in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday.

Professor Gbade Ojo of the University of Ilorin disclosed that Nigerian politicians had yet to demonstrate that they were better administrators since 1999.

Ojo, a professor of Comparative Politics and a former Chief of Staff in Oyo State, insisted that there had been no improvement in the comfort of an average Nigerian.

He, however, added that the beauty of Nigeria’s democracy was the ability of successive governments to sustain the system despite various challenges since 1999.

“Though there have been improvements in the electoral laws, there has been a wide gap between intent and actual practice by the stakeholders.

“Honestly, Nigerian democracy has been unable to deliver the expected dividends to the electorate, judging by the level of poverty and insecurity everywhere.

“I only hope that successive administrations will be able to improve the system and provide democratic reversal.

“Recently, there was a coup plot, and some military officers are being tried, which means that our democracy is still under threat.

“Until we get to the stage of democratic consolidation, before we can begin to sing a new song,” said the ex-political adviser to former Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.

Meanwhile, an Ibadan-based legal practitioner, Mr Dapo Olakulehin, stated that little has been achieved in the judiciary since 1999.

Olakulehin said that the different tiers of government often refused to obey court rulings perceived against them, choosing to obey only those they wish.

“Even during the military regime, courts’ rulings were obeyed to some extent.

“Imagine some state governments refusing to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy.

“Another matter that comes to mind is when different courts ordered the release of Kanu Nnamdi in his case with the Federal Government.

“On the other hand, the judges’ role is to ensure that one side is not unduly favoured over the other, but where that happens, can we then say that we are practising democracy? He asked.

According to the legal practitioner, the judiciary is also being starved of what is due to it, especially in terms of funds.

“While lawmakers of state Houses of Assembly and National Assembly have their ways easily, when it comes to budgeting and emoluments, it’s not the same with magistrates and judges.

“Ask magistrates and judges across the length and breadth of Nigeria whether they are regularly given their entitlements and working tools or not,” Olakulehin lamented.

The human rights lawyer suggested that the only way Nigerians could speak against misgovernance was by voting out politicians who had refused to meet their yearnings and aspirations.

Mr Fatai Adesokan, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, frowned at the failure of internal democracy among political parties in Nigeria.

He said this has remained a stumbling block in Nigeria’s political journey since 1999.

“Nigerian democratic journey has not been an encouraging one; starting from issues like internal democracy, inadequate provision of infrastructure, health, insecurity and so on,” he said.

Adesokan, however, believed that the country would soon overcome its challenges.