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Nigeria, democracy and we, the people

By Chukwuemeka O. Nnochiri
02 July 2015   |   4:38 am
CAN the political landscape of Nigeria be adjudged to be at par and consistent with the spirit and the letter by which democracy is run in most developed countries?
National Assembly members

National Assembly members

CAN the political landscape of Nigeria be adjudged to be at par and consistent with the spirit and the letter by which democracy is run in most developed countries?

This question may be apt considering that we are once again in that season where the entire country is caught up with the frenzy and chaos that accompany our elections.

There is a school of thought who seeks an answer to the above question from the perspective of our evolution in the conduct of elections and to what degree it can be seen as free, fair and credible.

They argue that the polity has improved in terms of decision making in choosing candidates for elections. The reduced incidence of rigging and making votes count, as well as the public accountability searchlight beamed on the elected officials by those governed are some points to which those promoting this assertion allude.

Although they view it as work in progress, they are optimistic that some challenges such as voter apathy, regulations over campaign funding, post election protests, electoral dispute resolutions etc, which characterise our democracy will be a thing of the past if the government shows strong determination in putting out legislation in addressing some of these flaws in the future.

Another think tank will appraise this question by analysing and weighing the existence of clear ideologies from within the different political parties or groups seeking to run for office.

Their opinion is hinged on the fact that the vision and process any political party proposes as its modus operandi in meeting the aspirations of the governed will influence the support they can get, as well as their success in any poll, thereby characterising the essence in which any democracy is run.

This, they believe, is seriously lacking in our politics and has adversely affected our democratic credentials on the platform of modern democratic trends and models.

Hence the tendency for politicians to cross carpet and form alliances within a twinkling of an eye, as they strategise for victory, thereby compromising the right process in making electoral choices, all at the expense of ethnicity and religion, most of the time, leaving us with poor or incompetent characters, who lack basic leadership traits.

In fairness, neither of these theories can lay claim to the standard index for true democracy. What precipitates these debates most of the time is our penchant of living in denial while resting on the oars of false assumptions.

We define our democratic status more often on the measured steps of progress some external and foreign observer groups may in their magnanimity, score us on their biased analysis during any political transition, as well as the piles of lectures, symposia, grammar we pile up to confuse one another, all in the name of a manifesto and democratic dividends, which are only familiar to the author and his imaginary world. Suffice it to say, our complex approach to simple solutions mire our progress as a nation.

It truly questions our patriotic stand on a strong democracy that will serve as an example to the rest of the continent. Year after year, we are offered the opportunity to show an honest resolve by our leadership in entrenching the principles of democracy and this is ignored on the altar of procrastination.

We easily leave every and anything to chance as is the norm, with the full confidence that things will find a way to pan out, with or without us. Hence the responsibility and credibility factor lacking in our leadership. Or are we to forget the selfish and parochial interests that becloud our reasoning while we encourage sectionalism when it suits our personal agenda at the expense of all?

If the truth must be told, our so-called democracy is hanging on the edge. The chances of it swinging back into oblivion and eternal doom are as ripe as the opportunities that have been waiting in the past 16 years to break us out into the limelight and propel us into a whole new level.

Lest we forget, it only takes a small wrong and injustice to fan the flames of unrest, chaos and anarchy without any prior warning, utterly destroying any claims of progress, unity we may think we have achieved. It is high time we all began to come to terms with the full reality and redefine the landscape for our collective good.

My submission starts with us imbibing the true meaning of democracy – “Government of the people, for the people, by the people.” This is the beginning and end to our statehood, pure and square. Nothing should be added, nothing removed. As citizens and leaders, our aspirations, conduct and plans must revolve round us – “we the people” – before anyone can begin to perceive us as a work in progress. Those in authority should strip themselves of any privileges, and as benefactors of the people’s trust, take up the toga of servant hood, being agents contracted to work for the betterment of the people, in their utterances, conduct and complete allegiance to the country’s constitution. The governed (the people) should see themselves as beneficiaries of that invisible power that must protect and uphold the legitimacy of all democratic institutions and systems on ground and obeying the laws of the land without any fear or rancour.

This is a collective responsibility where no one is left behind as every true citizen has a personal role to play in upholding and advancing this cause for it to be seen as democracy, whether it is political democracy or economic democracy. It is in this same spirit that votes count, elections are contested and won on merit, people exercise their liberty of freedom, opportunities are created and the people come first on any policy agenda set forward for implementation.

The greatest challenge we face, and a true one for that matter, is to sustain the heartbeat of this democratic dispensation by advancing the welfare (that simple sense of belonging) and right of every citizen always, irrespective of gender, age, or political leaning and continue to develop that spirit of oneness in our homes, schools, churches, traditional spheres and various workplaces. Though opinions may differ, our ideologies must stand on the tripod of freedom, equity and tolerance as the right tools to plant democracy in our lives and in our country. For these three are the pillars of our sovereignty and democratic greatness as a nation in this 21st century.

With these three precepts, our survival from the great threats to true democracy is guaranteed, especially among the young populace, who are susceptible to manipulative and extremist intolerant views. We are witnesses to what the Middle East crusade, targeted at opposing beliefs, is generating, even in developed climes also what the present terrorist threats in the North Eastern part of the country has cost us and our fledgling democracy.

The responsibilities of attaining democratic heights must be accompanied with decisive measures in safeguarding it, through this consensual declaration of what is right and what is wrong. If there exists but for a fraction a word of dissent, albeit silence from the same people whom we look up as role models in our walk to emancipation, then we may be guilty of destroying our own house of unity.

Security may be a priority, but the true essence of the motives behind the insurgency should be tackled head on to achieve unity, oneness and equity.

If I cannot aspire to be educated at any level of my choice with the support of the government in any part of this country, without regard to my gender or where I come from, if I cannot practice my religion or carry out my legitimate business anywhere in the country for fear of being opposed or attacked, or even enjoy adequate social and health services, regardless of where I am in the country, then there lies the evidence that all is not well with this our so called democracy.

Scoring cheap points in electoral processes and winning elections is not a true measure of our democracy, Nigeria must imbibe the psyche of true freedom, genuine equality and tolerance at all times.
Nnochiri wrote from Lagos. eminnochiri@yahoo.com 08157219714.

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