The Impact of Civil Society on Sustaining Democratization in Nigeria With Reference to NLC

The Impact of Civil Society on Sustaining Democratization in Nigeria With Reference to NLC

CHAPTER ONE

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To critically assess how Nigeria Labour Congress has contributed in sustaining democracy in Nigeria between 1999 to 2014
To identify factors that shapes the activities of the Nigeria Labour Congress from 1999 to 2014
To understand the nature of state-civil society relations in Nigeria.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

CONCEPTUAL LITERATURE

The Concept of Civil Society:

In the past two decades, the idea of Civil Society has attracted tremendous attention in political and developmental discourse. This is because political theory presents Civil Society as a crucial agent for sustaining democracy and development. Although the term Civil Society is widely used in academic and policy circles, it has yet to acquire a commonly accepted meaning.

Definitions of Civil Society are bewilderingly diverse and the differences between them are often rooted in alternative Social and Political Philosophies. Political theorists of Greek, Roman, Liberal, and Marxist backgrounds have attempted to conceptualize Civil Society. These scholars explore the complexity of the concepts, showing different dimensions of Civil Society such as the material (Hegel, Marx and Engel’s), organizational (de Tocqueville and Ferguson), and ideological (Gramsci and Havel). Debates about the historical foundations of the concept of Civil Society reverberate in contemporary analysis.

In view of this, we shall examine some existing literature on Civil Society by different scholars..

Mutfang (2003) sees civil society as a wide range of association and other organized collectives capable of articulating the interest of their members, moulding and constraining state power. According to him, their demands provide input for the democratic political process which at times are aggregated by political parties. Their approval or disapproval of what goes on in government contributes to accountability. He further postulates that a country which is well endowed in this respect is well positioned to democratize and ensuring good governance. It is in this same vain that a weak civil society is often used to explain the failure of democratization. Gold (1990) defines civil society as a “whole range of social groups that seeks to operate independently of the state and the (communist party) such as private business, enterprises, labour unions, trade unions, professional associations, religious bodies, student organizations, artistic and publications. His inference is that civil societies are not only independent of the state but as interest group they push forward their demands which might contract that of the government, he opined that the demand input be specific or general.

Boussard C. (1996). Civil Society and Democracy: Boussard seeks to clarify what Civil Society means and to analyze the role that it has or could have in the process of democratization, how Civil Society interacts with other factors that influence democratization, and what the ‘civil’ in Civil Society` refer to nothing that associational life may flourish in a society. He concludes that Civil Society has the potential to play key roles in democratic transition, although in each phase it plays a different role. According to him, Civil Societies play two roles in democratization. First, it acts as a countervailing power to the government-this is a watchdog role. In this organization, not all of whom are democratic or trustful; nevertheless, they serve a positive purpose for democracy. Second and most important to democratization, Civil Societies act as a proactive democracy-building force. In this second role, Organization are not simply valuable because they are associations, but because they explicitly have public good in mimed and operate within democratic framework themselves.

John K. (1998) argues that Civil Societies play a vital role in aggregating private interests and concomitantly attenuating state authority, and such is different from the state in its role, composition, shapes, and contours. This approach finds an intellectual ally in Alexis de Tocquenille writing on democracy in 19^th century North America, which emphasizes the important of Civil Society for the creation and maintenance of democracy. De Tocqveville claims that Civil Society is thought to be separate from the state and political parties, thus referring to largely autonomous sphere of freedom.

CHAPTER THREE

THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC)

INTRODUCTION

This chapter focuses on the historical evolution of Nigerian Labour Congress in Nigeria from the colonial days to the present democratic dispensation. This is very significant in the study since NLC was choosing as the case study.

LABOUR MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA: AN HISTORICAL REVIEW

The first Labour Union in Nigeria came on board in 19th August, 1912 in Lagos, the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and it was called the Southern Nigeria Civil Service Union. After the amalgamation of the protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria in 1914, the name was changed to the Nigeria Civil Service Union.

In 1919, the Association of European Civil Servants in Nigeria was formed. Before its formation, there were agitations against racial discrimination in the public service and this led to the formation of the National Congress of West Africa in 1920. Its initial demand was the abolition of racial discrimination in West Africa and thereafter the Africanisation of certain position in the Civil Service.

Between 1916 to 1919, the Civil Service Union (CSC) started agitating for war bonus to reduce the hardship arising from the outcome of the First World War. The agitation saw the light of the day when 30 percent of the pre-war salary was awarded. Shortly after gaining recognition, the Association of European Civil Service (AECS). Started agitating for salaries review and this led to the appointment of a salary review committee. The report of the committee favored European Civil Servants and concessions were granted from traveling allowances to payment of pension able emoluments to the estates of all confirmed officers who died in the service.

In 1921, Artisans employed on the government railroad joined other Technical Workers to form the Mechanics Union. Earlier the electrical employees of the Nigeria Railways withdrew from the Civil Service Union and formed what was called the Association of Railway Civil Servants. The two Unions in the Nigeria Railways were the most vibrant and their radical posture won them certain gains like the concession of free train service for railway employees.

After many changes, the Railways Workers Unions was formally inaugurated in 1932. In December 1938, the Trade Union Ordinance was enacted. In the annual conference of the Railway Workers Union in 1940, the young Michael Aitokhaimen Imoudu was elected the president.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN SUSTAINING DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA FROM 1999 – 2014 (NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS)

INTRODUCTION

This chapter seeks to introduce us to the roles of the NLC in sustaining democratic process in Nigeria from 1999 – 2014. The theoretical framework adopted for this analysis is structural- functionalist approach, which emphasizes the roles of various institutions including the NLC as a Civil Society Group in the larger society either by making demands inform of input into the larger political system or giving feedback inform of output to the demands or input made by the political system on the Civil Society which the NLC is one.

Nigeria Labour Congress is not a political party but has played a crucial, if not leading role in the transition of the country from military government to civil rule. Inspite of the strong opposition, oppression and repression by the state and its machineries, during the various military regimes, NLC protested against the military dictatorship, which resulted to the transition of power to civil rule in May 29, 1999. Since the institutionalization of civil rule in May 29, 1999, NLC has been involved in some activities to consolidate democratic rule in Nigeria. The creation of a vibrant Civil Society therefore is critical for the social, cultural, and historical institutions of a society. Let us now turn to the roles of NLC in consolidating democratic process in Nigeria. Let us turn to the role of Civil Society in consolidating democracy in Nigeria.

EVOLUTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN NIGERIA

Civil society in Nigeria as in other third world nations differs sharply in terms of it’s evolution from that of the Western world. This has tended to shape its actions, objectives or goals. While in the Western society, civil society grew out of necessities, that is to say, they grew out of the expansion of states which was occasioned by the complexities of governmental role in everyday affairs, third world civil society came about as a result of dissatisfaction with state policies Infact, most persons (scholars and political commentators alike) have tended to trace the evolution and subsequent proliferation of civil society groups to the high-handedness witnessed during military dictatorship in Nigeria as in other third world nations.

However, one concept that can best be used to analyze the above point is the concept of “Exit” from the state. According to Multfang (2000), it has been observed that the study of political development in Africa and the third world in general is replete with accounts of the rise of mostly anti-system, grass root involvement with a variety of political, social and economic goals which are often beyond the control of the state.

Bayart (1991) also made reference to “groups which interact with the state by by-passing it……by defining themselves in relation to economic, political or cultural system which transcends the state by submerging the state with its spectacular claims and mobilization”.
These individuals found out that their goals are often incompatible with state goals most times, it is the inability of the state to transcend ethnic sentiments on other to achieve national integration among it’s citizens that actually gives room for these individuals to form a group with particular and same interest.

Exit therefore, refers to a disengagement or retreat from the state by disaffected or marginalized segments of the citizenry and in the vain, the creation of parallel social, cultural, economic and political system which compete with state structures. The reciprocal rights normally associated with state-citizen relations are therefore absent (Bayart 1991).
In the Nigeria state, we can identify various forms of exit especially in the creation of parallel and self-governing economic structures and socio-cultural and judicial activities, for instance, as a result of the failure of the state to provide for the lives and properties of the citizens, the 1990s witnessed an upsurge in the creation of vigilante groups, such as the Bacassi boys in the Eastern part of the country. These groups engaged in security duties with the open support of the state. Infact, it has been observed that citizens more often not report cases to these outfits, *cases* that were originally the preserve of the police.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

INTRODUCTION

This chapter summarizes the research work, draws conclusions and provides some recommendations for the effective performance of NLC in deepening democracy.

SUMMARY

In summary, the research consists of four chapters, which are for the sake of good report. Chapter one consists of introduction, statement of research problem, research questions, objective of the study, significance of the study, methodology, literature review and theoretical framework in the research.

Chapter two [2] consists of historical evolution of the Nigerian labour congress [NLC], labour movement in Nigeria: an historical overview, restructuring of the unions, the birth of Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress[TUC], Organ of Nigeria Labour Congress and the membership of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Chapter three [3] focuses on the activities of NLC in consolidating democracy in Nigeria. The chapter notes how NLC in Nigeria [from 1999-2007] operates freely and openly. Some of the activities of NLC in deepening democratic process observed included NLC and the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria, the struggle for democracy, good governance and human rights, democratic dividends and the NLC and Trade Union Unity. However, the chapter highlights some areas that Civil Society has failed in deepening democratic process and its consolidation. These include lack of fund, corruption, excessive dependence on foreign aid among others.

CONCLUSION

The role of Civil Society (NLC) should be defined beyond its engagement of the state in order to prevent it from overwhelming society and trampling on individuals’ rights. This is because democracy is not just about rights. It is equally about participation, interest representation and contestation. If this is the case, NLC role and performance must properly be viewed in the context of state-civil society relations. This means that society-civil society relations become the other side of state-civil society relations. The strength of civil society relations will then be in its ability to improve on the interaction between state and society. This perspective also calls for more attention to the relation between Civil Society Groups and the communities or people [the poor, the voiceless] that they often claim to represent. This call is important because as we have noted in the Nigerian context, the pro-democracy [civil society] groups not only find it difficult to muster and sustain credibility, they have also not been able to break away from geographical divide and are elitist in character. Other form of associational life especially at the grassroots is often isolated and is not usually aggregated at the national level. These have several implications for democratic consolidation. More so, the democratic challenges for NLC under a brutal dictatorship differ from those under an elected government because of their peculiarities. Thus, the methods and strategies of civic engagement under a military dictatorship should differ significantly from those under democratically elected representatives. That is why after the introduction of democratic government, NLC itself may have to pass through a process of renewal in which organizational structures and operations have to be redefined in the light of the new challenges under a democratic dispensation. This necessary redefinition of organizational structures and operations is not an easy task. Their success in achieving this redefining and transformation will influence their relevance and effectiveness in the consolidated democracy. To reach ideological independence, financial independence is also needed. There is no future for the human rights movement in Nigeria unless it can secure domestic ideological, financial and moral support from interest constituencies. It is crucial that the movement be part of the people; its leadership and aspirations must reflect the needs and perspectives of ordinary citizens… the movement should not be complacent, as it is today, with external support.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Our experience of democracy since May 29, 1999, has thrown up many challenges in the course of deepening democratic process and its consolidation in the country [Nigeria]. It becomes imperative to offer some suggestions that are helpful to the survival of democracy in Nigeria. The following are therefore recommended:

For NLC to be truly a “watch dog” of democracy in Nigeria, it must develop democratic attributes such as tolerance, respect, willingness to compromise and respect for opposing viewpoints, commitment to democratic ethics, loyalty to leaders, peace making and many more. It is through this role that the NLC can be said to be a custodian of nurturing and sustaining democratic process and good governance in Nigeria.
For NLC to perform the role of deepening and sustaining democratic process in Nigeria and its consolidation there is the need for them to raise funds internally instead of relying solely on the grant from foreign donor agencies.
NLC should educate and enlighten people through enlightenment campaign that would focus on drawing attention of people to governmental institutions that guarantee fundamental human rights so that those who have been denied justice would be liberated.
Good governance: political elites should imbibe the tenets of good governance; it is an effective means for eradicating poverty and illiteracy. If poverty and illiteracy is eradicated, the capacity of NLC to mobilize and enlighten masses will be enhanced.
Civil Society Groups should be ideological in approach: NLC should be guided by ideas and ideologies in their activities and should be capable of bringing good ideas to the government and make civil education a continuous exercise as against being inconsistent and intermittent that is, closing shops whenever their objectives are realized. They should play the role of civic schools.
Strike moderation: The rate at which NLC embarks on strike should be reduced because; excessive strikes are detrimental to both the workers and economic growth and development of the nation generally. Negotiation and dialogue should be embraced.
Constitutional amendment: Constitutional provisions of NLC that prohibit them from soliciting for funds from individuals and groups should be amended.
Curtailing the rate of multiplication, proliferation and duplication of workers union: Government should set up special commission to checkmate the rate of workers unions with the same functions and objectives and merge them together to avoid duplication of functions and duties.
NLC should engage in greater popular participation in both economic and political affairs, the expansion of the democratic space, and the formation of regional linkages between states and Civil Society in Nigeria will go a long way in solving the crisis in Nigeria and ensure genuine and self-sustaining democracy.
Establishment of special body: NLC should establish special body that will be able to extend the impacts and civil activities in the areas of monitoring legislative process, budget allocation and implementation in order to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
NLC should spearheaded to develop a mechanism for measuring government performance from local government level to the national levels provides the best context for checking government’s corruption and abuse of power.
NLC should become an intermediate agent between the government and people by striking a balance between what the people want from the government and what the government delivers to the people, which will go a long way to consolidating democratic process in Nigeria.

REFERENCES:

Kwadwa A. Civil Society, Human Rights and Development inAfrica: A Critical Analysis
Lucky O.I. Democratizing Democracy in Nigeria: The Role of Civil Society Organization.
Remi A. The Dynamics of Civil Society and the Democratization Process in Nigeria.
Adewunmi, F.( 1998): Trade Unions, National Development and Military Rule,Friedrich Ebert.
Adewunmi, F. (1997): Trade Unionism in Nigeria: Foundation, Nigeria, Challenges for the 21^stCentury, Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
Abubakar D. (1997): Civil Society and Democratic Governance beinga paper presented at a workshop on “Welfare Association Building Blocks”,for Democracy Organized by African Centre for Governance, Jos 9^th -11^th 1997
Atuah K.A. (1986): “Civil society, Human Rights and Development in Africa. A Critical Analysis.” This paper is an extract from doctoral desertion, Irish centre for human rights, National University of Ireland and Ghana School of law, (pp1-17).
Aiyede R. (2000): “Dynamic of Civil Society and Democratization in Nigeria”in Canadian Journal of African Studies, Vol.3No.1 (pp1-19).

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