KHAKISTOCRASY: OUR DALLIANCE WITH MILITARY-POLITICIANS IN NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC TRAJECTORY, 1999-2023
Abstract
Nigeria’s democratic transition in 1999 was heralded as a departure from decades of military rule, yet the continued dominance of ex-military officers in civilian governance suggests a more nuanced reality—one best described as khakistocracy, a fusion of khakistocracy (government by the least qualified) and khaki (military rule). This study critically examines the persistent influence of military-politicians on Nigeria’s democratic trajectory from 1999 to 2023, interrogating the extent to which their governance has reinforced or undermined democratic consolidation. Through a historical and political analysis, the research explores the structural, ideological, and institutional continuities between military and civilian regimes, focusing on the administrations of former military leaders such as Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari. It investigates how their leadership styles, policy orientations, and institutional frameworks reflect authoritarian legacies, raising questions about democratic legitimacy, civil-military relations, and political accountability. Furthermore, the study examines public perceptions of military-politicians, assessing whether they are seen as stabilizing forces or impediments to democratic deepening. Drawing on historical case studies, and comparative analysis with other post-military states, the research posits that Nigeria’s democracy remains constrained by the lingering ethos of military governance. It concludes that while electoral processes have sustained civilian rule, the militarization of political culture, weak institutional checks, and the elite’s preference for strongman leadership have perpetuated an oligarchic system that inhibits true democratic evolution. The study offers recommendations for strengthening civilian oversight, deepening democratic institutions, and fostering a political culture that prioritizes participatory governance over authoritarian nostalgia.
