DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA: A FACT OR FICTION

OLUWATOBI ODEYINKA

Democracy in Nigeria is a fiction!

It is a fiction well scripted in a book we call constitution, while the actors make occasion alterations to suit their selfish desires. The only good that the appellation of democracy has offered Nigerians is to give them a false hope for change every four years. Consequently, we recycle villains and dramatic personas for new episodes.

The white man had committed no crime by compelling us to embrace democracy against our cultural monarchical system of rulership. Democracy had and is still performing wonders in other climes and shaping the lives of peoples positively. However, the Whiteman erroneously assumed that the most populous black nation in the world was sane enough to operate a system of government where every individual has a voice in a multitude. That is ‘Democracy’. Abraham Lincoln defined it as Government of, for, and by the people; Aristotle says it is a system whereby the will of the majority is supreme. Apparently, all of these do not reflect in the Nigerian society.

Do you include Nigeria in a list of countries where the people enjoy freedom of speech, rule of law, social justice, and other good qualities of democracy? You should wake up already and stop dreaming. Democracy is a scam in this part of the world and the evidences stare at you everyday – on the pages of newspapers, on your television set, on the internet, and everywhere.

A critical look at our statute book, the 1999 constitution, would further buttress the point that Nigeria’s democracy is illusory. Here is a constitution that was handed over by an autocratic military regime with no input of the Nigerian populace. Here is a constitution that gives you freedom of speech in section 39 and withdraws it in section 45. Here is a constitution that promises various fundamental human rights but makes no attempt to punish violators of those rights. Little wonder the Nigerian Police Force which is supposed to protect the lives and property of citizens is notorious for brutalizing the same citizens at the slightest provocation.

Democratic nations are nations that thrive on democratic principles. Such principles include; Separation of power and a valid system of checks and balances. Of course, our own democracy is fictional; the 1999 constitution puts the legislative and judicial arms at the mercy of the executive. If you think the judiciary is independent, consult section 231 of the constitution and see the rhetoric in such autonomy. The President, who is the head of the executive, is empowered to hire and fire the Chief Justice of the Federation, including Judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Federal High Courts. Do we need to explain the meaning of independence?

Another principle of democracy is the right to protest. Omoyele Sowore, the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, took the honour of exercising such right on behalf of millions of aggrieved Nigerians, who would rather keep quite than demand from their government, that which is right. Sowore was picked up like a criminal by the Department of Security Services (DSS) for alleged “act of terrorism”. Isn’t that laughable? From the same government that is negotiating with bandits in Zamfara.

In countries that operate the democratic system of government, it is the constitution that spells out the extent and limit of power exercisable by the leaders, but this is Nigeria. Where the President believes, “The rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of national security and national interest.” How do we explain the unlawful detention of Ibrahim Elzakzaky, leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, even after various courts of competent jurisdiction had granted him bail? This is a testimony of the fictional elements in the democracy we operated.

I should conclude my argument by asserting that Nigeria is a hybrid state of Oligarchy and Autocracy; we would join the league of democratic nations when there is incontestable regard for the rule of law; when the constitution is amended to reflect true democratic principles; when there is undiluted separation of power; and when the media, rather than being harassed and pressured, is allowed to freely operate as the fourth estate of the realm.

TAJUDEEN Abubakar Sadiq

FACT, OF COURSE

According to the sixteenth president of USA, Abraham Lincoln, democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Thanks to this man who made this definition succinct for a lay man and made my task easy. But dear readers permit me to list some elements of democracy which involve a government chosen by popular mandate, rule of law and separation of power.

Fortunately, democracy witnessed its birth in May 29, 1999, after the death of a khaki man and dictator, General Sani Abacha, who came to man the affairs of our land through the barrel of gun. During this regime, lots of Nigerians lost their lives because after the Uncreated Creator who claims life when wished, there was Abacha who could not create anything, but killed human beings. Everything came by decree, not passing of bills into law. If I were a traditionalist I would have worshipped those who sacrificed their lives to see that democracy came to exist in Nigeria— unfortunately, I don’t associate partner with God. How dare my opponent say what Nigerians sacrifice their life for is fiction! Dear readers, forgive him for he doesn’t know the benefit of democracy, he only focuses on the lapses.

First and foremost, after every one thousand four hundred and sixty days— four years, Nigerians come out to speak their mind through balloting, to exercise their civic rights. They vote, and can be voted for. They bring in a legitimate ruler, so as not to be led by someone who secures power illegitimately. Democracy accord power to every registered thumb to uproot or choose any party or person they want in an office. The thumb power was used to uproot the former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, from Aso Villa when he was giving Nigerians headache. Imagine not having democracy! The man would have stayed till death, killing Nigerians physically, emotionally and psychologically despite the mismanagement of public funds. What else is democracy if not choosing and uprooting who you want?

Democracy births separation of power and checks and balances. The executive arm, the legislative arm and the judiciary share power among one another, and each one check the other so that an arm would not misuse power, as it is often said that power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely. Dear readers, if these tools were absent, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo would have remained in power after his two terms as President. With check and balance, the legislative arm did not pass the bill of extra or additional term. If democracy is fiction, definitely, my opponent is proposing Supreme Military Council for Nigerians in this twenty first century.

Dear readers, you will bear me witness that the rule of law has been serving us well compared to the previous administration where people dined and wined with Nigeria’s funds and only the poor were charged to court for stealing a fowl. But today both the poor and rich are jailed when found guilty. My opponent chose to remain blind in that aspect because of El-Zazaky’s detention. Why would we support the bail of El-Zazaky, a man who wants to lead Nigeria to war because of religious bigotry? Why would we support the bail of a man who has been disrupting Nigeria’s peace since 1979, as a student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria? Why would we support a man who led his followers to beat fellow students who are keggites because of religious bigotry? We have Boko Haram in the Northeast, Biafra in the Southeast, Bandit in the Northwest, killer herdsmens in the Northcentral, Kidnappers in the Southwest, all disrupting the peace of the country. Now, should we still allow El-Zazaky to start what himself can’t end, all because Nigeria is a democratic state? Has my opponent and El-Zazaky forgotten that Nigeria is a secular state? Releasing El-Zazaky is detrimental and threat to every Nigerian. Just ruminate on it.

Furthermore, my opponent has brought up the issue of Sowore’s detainment. What he fails to understand is Sowore wants to set Nigeria on fire through revolution. He doesn’t know that Nigeria is synonymous with a filling station. If the revolution had been achieved, there could have been an endless war as to whom and what tribe should rule the country. There’s no revolution without bloodshed. Because we haven’t witnessed war, that’s why Sowore wants us to see one. We should ask those who witnessed Biafra War, they will not fail to tell us how it passed. The pain the war inflicted on some people still has its mark on some’s face. Revolution is easy on leaf, but in action involves bloodsheds and a long queue of corpses. He should remain in detention because I believe no one can afford losing their loved ones. Don’t let us turn Nigeria to Naroshima and Nagasaki where grass cannot sprout again because of atomic bombs used there, as it has become a desert.

In conclusion, democracy gives everyone freedom of speech, that is why everyone can air their grievances. Freedom of association, press, and association are the regalia which make democracy look beautiful. Only democracy can give people the opportunity to say what’s in the first paragraph and it’s what gave my opponent the opportunity to say it is fiction. With the existence of check and balance and rule of law democracy has proven the fact that it’s fact in Nigeria. Because it is not working perfectly well here doesn’t mean it is a fiction. Democracy in Nigeria has not advanced as in developed countries. Nigeria is just twenty-year-old in the practice while the countries my opponent compares Nigeria with are more than hundred-year-old, and yet they have not got it perfect. So why should we give ourselves headache when those who have been practicing it for years haven’t perfected theirs? There are two sides to every coin— merits and demerits. There are no perfect countries, there are only better countries. Should we now leave the freedom we have for a military government because of the detainment of some people? If yes or no, dear readers, decide. Don’t focus on the lapses like my opponent; look at the advantages we gain from democracy. Please, think about it.