IS NIGERIA REALLY A DEMOCRATIC STATE?

“…and the government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth”

Those were the words of Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg speech in 1883. By his definition of democracy, political power is conferred on the people either directly or indirectly through elected representatives. Many countries have adopted the democratic system of government, including our dear country, Nigeria having declared the 29th of May and now, 12th June as her democracy day.

The question of Nigeria being a democratic state has however been a hot debate. While some aruge that Nigeria is a democratic state, others have kicked strongly against the argument. When Lincoln in 1883 defined democracy, he defined it with a vision of a system, where political power rests with the people, not the way it is here in Nigeria. Let us even examine the terms in Lincoln’s definition of democracy and see if they even apply to Nigeria at all.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE

Government of the people denotes that the government belongs to the people.  The government is therefore expected to be answerable to the people. This however is a feature absent in Nigeria’s system of government. Most representatives become so power drunk that they begin to exhibit dictatorial tendencies. How else would one describe a government that curtails the rights of citizens, denies press freedom and encourage tyranny. Citizens are harassed by security operatives yet the government has decided to turn a blind eye to these harassments. Although the government claims to uphold the right to freedom of speech, freedom after speech is not guaranteed. Take the cases of journalists and activists who have been killed, imprisoned, as well as many more who are in detention for exercising their rights. Or what should be said about the ridiculous hate speech bill directed towards curtailing freedom of speech?

Has government in Nigeria ever been about the people? The only period the people matter in Nigeria is weeks before elections, when those who parade themselves as leaders solicit for all kinds of support, distributing all manner of things and even resort to begging. What happens next? We all know. Government in Nigeria has never been about the people. That is why so

Not only do leaders make life miserable for citizens, they pay little or no attention to the plights of citizens. Terrorism, kidnapping and harassment by security operatives are almost becoming normal and the government is unmoved about it. The interest of the government is rather in trivial things.

GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE?

Government by the people will mean a state of affairs where the people would make themselves decisions that affect them. Therefore, all decisions, laws and bills should represent the wish of the people. What is the case in Nigeria? The  opposite. Rather  than represent the wish of the people, selfish laws which only enrich their pockets, at the expense of the people.  The hate speech bill that has passed a second reading at the senate is a good example. While there are more important issues such as security, quality education and the like are on life support, our dear senators in Abuja have decided to become keepers of the gate of social media. A move, which is an obvious attempt to carry out tyrannical acts, unopposed.

Is the government still of the people when the people cannot even hold political offices in their own government? It is no news that political power is not in the hands of the people.  Nigeria operates on an undocumented system of Gerontocracy and recently, civilian dictatorship. The political system and parties in Nigeria have been configured in a way that ensures the constant recycling  of old men. Where did the Not Too Young To Run bill land us with the ridiculous prices at which forms are sold by the political parties?

Government is not by the people here in Nigeria. The absence of free, fair and credible elections plagues the political sphere, such that people have lost confidence in the in elections, while many are driven into political apathy. It is a very common story in Nigeria that elections results are known even before the elections. What shall we say about snatching of ballot boxes and intimidation of voters?

GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE

Government for the people would mean that the government will work for the people. Well, the reverse is the case in Nigeria.  The people work for the government instead.  In a system where the government claims to be unable to pay a minimum wage of #30,000  yet senators go home with millions as salaries, should we still discuss  a  government that works for the people. No, we should not because larger burden is placed on workers who are underpaid. It is even more annoying that these workers do not get paid for their labor. Workers work for months without being paid in some states, stage protests to demand for their rights, embark on industrial actions yet, the government will be unmoved.

In a country where the wishes of the people are not even respected, should we still debate about a government for the people? It is very appalling that citizens protest against so many issues that are of concern to them yet the government acts like it is nothing and would not even speak about it.  The people cannot even keep track of the numerous things they protested against which still remain unaddressed.

Government should be about harnessing the recourses of a political state, for the full benefits of the people. However, where are the benefits? Good roads, portable water, proper health care services, stable power supply are only a mirage. . Shall we begin to speak of the poor educational system, health or security system? None of them works because they are not made to work. Yet we claim to be in a democratic dispensation.

It is often said that when one doesn’t know that one has a problem, it is a bigger problem. The concept of democracy in Nigeria is a mirage; unfortunately, not very many people know this.  Thus, identifying the problem is the first step to a solution.

When the people know what kind of government is run in their country, they would take it seriously when their rights are violated. They would take it seriously when elected representatives are not representing their wishes. Now that we know our problem, shall we begging to hold leaders accountable?