Dr. Sam Amadi, head of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, has referred to the political conventions held in Nigeria as representative of 'costly politics,' claiming they waste significant resources while failing to enhance democratic processes. Instead, he argues, these events promote inefficiency, wastefulness, and exclusion within the political framework.
In an interview aired on ARISE News on Monday, Amadi expressed his disapproval of the design and implementation of party conventions in the country, highlighting their extravagant nature amid their minimal contribution to democratic values.
He commented, "What we’re witnessing today is, if I were to write an article, I’d title it ‘Costly Politics.’ In a country that needs to better manage its resources, we are squandering them instead."
Amadi noted that large conventions often entail unnecessary expenditures despite already known outcomes, questioning the need for such grandiose gatherings.
"Why bring in 8,000 presumed delegates from across the nation where certain individuals have even lost their lives, to merely announce a list that was already made public?" he queried.
He proposed that these processes could be executed more effectively without the large-scale celebrations.
"This merely amounts to squandering money and wasting time, creating needless complications when a simple meeting could achieve the same result, with governors endorsing decisions from their offices," he stated.
Furthermore, Amadi contended that the lofty expenses associated with political activities in Nigeria do not yield genuine democratic results.
He posed a critical question regarding the nature of democracy in Nigeria, asserting, "Democracy ought not to be this expensive, but politics in Nigeria has become exceedingly costly. Politics does not automatically translate to democracy."
He maintained that the existing system prioritizes spectacle over substantial political processes, damaging democratic ideals in the process.
"The elaborate nights of celebrations, the singing and dancing, with millions or even billions spent are merely for something that could have been accomplished differently," Amadi remarked.
He also pointed out the opportunity costs associated with this spending, especially in a nation grappling with significant developmental challenges.
"When you consider the financial implications alongside the pressing needs within the country—funding for education, healthcare, and other vital areas—this extravagance is burdensome on two significant counts," he emphasized.
"Particularly regarding the naira value of what we spend, as well as what we miss out on, including the dignity, process, order, and democracy itself," he concluded.
Amadi's observations raise urgent concerns regarding the widening gap between political spending and democratic worth in Nigeria, cautioning that without meaningful reforms, these conventions could continue to diminish rather than fortify the foundations of the country’s democratic practices.
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