Poverty, Power and Propaganda: Why West Africa’s Democracy Is Faltering
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Democracy in West Africa is not just intertwined with political pressure, it is being undermined by economic failure and a crisis of trust.
Experts at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) argue that the region’s democratic struggles are deeply intertwined with rising poverty, weak institutions, and the growing influence of disinformation.
CDD Senior Fellow Jibrin Ibrahim argued that democracy cannot survive where citizens see little improvement in their daily lives, blaming inconsistent economic planning and policies that have failed to deliver inclusive growth.
He traced part of the problem to policies following Nigeria’s return to democracy, particularly under Olusegun Obasanjo, where market-driven policies had an impact in reducing poverty.
Meanwhile, CDD Director Dauda Garuba warned that misinformation, especially on platforms like TikTok, is fuelling what he called “military populism,” reshaping public perception and weakening trust in democratic systems.
The combined effect, he said, is a region where democracy is being challenged both from within and outside its institutions.
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