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At an International Conference on Democracy and Good Governance held in Port Harcourt in Rivers State on Tuesday, Mr Straw stressed that a sound democracy empowers the government and also the opposition.
He pointed out that corruption in Nigeria was hindering the growth of democracy.
“Wide spread corruption and well-functioning democracy systems are wholly incompatible. Corruption is another way through which the elites maintain their power and disproportionate wealth and cheat the majority of what is rightly theirs. It is by no means the only reason, but it is certainly one reason, why Nigeria is not matching the potential which it so evidently has.
“How do we, how do you deliver democracy, nationhood and citizenship with a proper balance of rights and responsibilities?
“What is it that holds Nigeria back from fully achieving the adjectives which it has set for itself in its own constitution? He questioned.
Mr Straw, citing chapter two of Nigeria’s Constitution, stressed that there could be few better crafted statements of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy for any nation in the world.
“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. The economy shall be controlled so as to secure the maximum welfare freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity. The economic system should not be operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals and the state shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuses of power,” he said, quoting the constitution.
The former UK Foreign Secretary highlighted that the noble ideas enshrined in the Constitution were yet to be translated into a reality that every Nigerian would enjoyed.
He compared Nigeria and Indonesia pointing out that both countries had history of military government and were both oil producers.
“Both face internal security challenges and they have political and economic similarities and differences.
“In 1965 Indonesia’s GDP per head was well below Nigeria. It is now above it.
“Indonesia has managed to diversify its economy, moving from over reliance on hydro carbons to becoming major exporter of agricultural produce,” he explained.
Mr Straw pointed out that Nigeria had so much going for it; “with an average annual growth of 7 per cent, a population, one-fifth the whole of Africa; its flattering inclusion in the acronym of coming nations, MINT, considerable international business interest and the local economy”.
“It has remained strong despite recent deep in some emerging market.”
He pointed out that with the reforms in the business environment, the privatisation of the power sector and the establishment of a functioning sovereign wealth fund there is much to be positive about.
“The future of Nigeria can be a rosy one, but trust in the ballot box to deliver a fair result is essential for every democracy to be stable. If people believe in the power of their vote to make a difference to their lives, they will take part in the election and democracy will be embedded,” he stated.
He further suggested that the election umpire should be chosen by the legislature and not the executive.
Other needed reforms that would boost democracy, according to him, are transparency and accountability and a conscious effort to set strict rules for expenditure in public office.
“For voters to trust in their political system, it is important that their political representatives are accountable and that the political system is transparent. When it is not so there will be wide spread malice and a general mistrust.
Justice, he also said, should be upheld as a means of strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
“Those that are guilty of wrong doing, corruption for example, must be held to account. The government must be accountable to the people.
He also suggested that the government should ensure that the Freedom of Information Act is promoted to help check the excesses of those in power.
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