Nigeria, April 12 -- PREMIUM TIMES carried a report yesterday posing the question of whether people are losing hope in democracy. It outlines the findings of an International IDEA survey, which shows that voters in 19 countries, including in three of the world's largest democracies and three African countries, believe that their political choices don't matter and so they prefer strong, undemocratic leaders. The report concludes that: "democratic institutions are falling short of people's expectations." This is indeed a time when deep introspection is ongoing about democracy, as many of its values and processes are being questioned around the world and analysts are pondering about its future.

Here in West Africa, the interrogation has tak...