Guardian

Former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government Administration, Alhaji Kabir Gaya, an ANPP lawmaker representing Kano South senatorial District, reflects on the 14 years of democracy in Nigeria and governance under President Goodluck Jonathan, and on other issues national significance, reports SAXONE AKHAINE, Northern Bureau Chief.

LOOKING at the events during the 14 years of democracy in Nigeria, is any reason for celebrations?

Well, first of all, we will celebrate that God has made us to survive this 14 years of stable democracy and we thank Almighty Allah for giving us the life and energy.

I also pray for those that lost their lives within this period of 14 years; that may their souls rest in peace. Then for those who had a lot of misfortunes, we pray for them to be successful more in life and recover what they have lost.

So, I think in terms of democracy; yes, we have a stable democracy, but the way I look at things, it seems we made one step forward and probably another three steps backward. Because what we have expected to achieve, we have not achieved it.

We accused the military of corruption, but we are worse than the military in terms of corruption. We accused the military of non-development; maybe we are a little bit better than them in terms developments, but when there is corruption and indiscipline, it means we have more problems.

You could remember we had serious insecurity; so we are worse than the military in terms of the security of the country. We are even waging war in some parts of the northern states with insurgents. So, I am saying we have made one step forward and three steps backward.

But if we can improve on the issue of insecurity, on issue of good governance, on issue of providing dividends of democracy to our people; I think that will make a lot of impact.

Certainly, for us in the legislature, I know that we’ve been able to amend the Constitution and gave a lot of independence to NEC. But the elections are still not free and fair. The elections have been marred, and you can see that the security agents are not helping matters.

I remember that we had elections in Kano, but it was done in front of the police. And all the laws of INEC, all the electoral laws were violated in the presence of the police. Yet, INEC had to declare the results. So, this problem shouldn’t have arisen if we have a proper democracy.

But I wish to say that the government at all levels should be sincere, honest and more dedicated if we want to move this nation forward.

Again, from all indications today, our leaders are trying to rule this country based on ethnic consideration. For example, if you are a president, you are making things to look like you are a president of one ethnic group or from one zone and therefore, you have to help that zone or tribe. It is wrong.

If you are a president, you are president of the entire country; that is how it should be. We should not do things that would balkanise this country.