By Joshua Osung
Some of us have this mentality that democracy only implies turning from a military rule (or dictatorship as some of us would insinuate) to a civilian government.
If you in anyway are among those who still keep such antiquated mentality or in any way doubting my stance on Nigerian “democracy”, then we may want to take reference on some definitions and literature.
- “A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives”. (Source: online)
- “ A form of government in which the people have a voice in the exercise of power, typically through elected representatives” (Source: Concise Oxford Dictionary)
- “ A government of the people for the people and by the people” ( Popular/primary/students’ definition)
More fascinating is Wikipedia’s description:
- “Democracy is a political system, or a system of decision making within an institution or organization, in which ALL MEMBERS have an EQUAL share of power”
Historically, the concept and name (democracy) as a form of government originated in ancient Athens circa 508 BC in ancient Greece where there were many city-states with many forms of government. Democracy was then formed in contrast with aristocracy (the government by the elites) monarchy (by one person) and tyranny.
It is so sad that in the contemporary Nigeria and if I may narrow my scope, Akwa Ibom State, the term “democracy” has been bastardized. What we are practicing is what I can only refer to as “dignified aristocracy, monarchy and tyranny”.
It is worthy of note that the most important factor in democracy is THE PEOPLE, THE CITIZENS or THE MASSES and to this end I’ll love to make the following inquiries: Is today’s government run by the people?
Is there even an iota of power reserved for the people? Do we not have elites who sit at the top and make self serving decisions and impose it on the masses? Do we not have State governors who now make the State (people’s) resources their personal money?
This is not going to be a lengthy write-up, but as we “celebrate” the so called “democracy” in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at large, let us all engage our minds with the following somewhat rhetorical questions:
1. If democracy is about the people, why would those seated in high places impose candidates on the masses whenever it’s an election period?
2. What gives the state governor any right to decide on whether or not to conduct Local Government Election?
3. If the Local Government Areas (being the closest government to the masses) are not given elected functionaries, how do they want the PEOPLE (whom democracy is all about) to have a voice in the dealings of the state?
4. How can any sensible human being still not come to the realization that our so-called democracy is even worse than what we do refer to as “military dictatorship”?
It is so disheartening to learn that a state like Akwa Ibom that receives the second highest monthly allocation from the Federal Government still complains of running short of funds and the Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel still had the guts to inform the people about his unreadiness to get a bank loan to fund the conduct of the Local Government’s election.
I can still vividly recall how the governor once called Akwa Ibomites “Uneducated” – quite forgivable.
But this particular act of depriving the grassroots their democratic right is a conscious and calculated act of looking down on our democracy and spit on it.
Today is democracy day. A day we should look back and reflect on our journey so far, a time to straight the crooked and right the wrong.
A time when the plight and place of the people should be reconsidered etc but unfortunately, today has been hijacked by our leaders as their personal jamboree day.
In Akwa Ibom, T-shirts, faze caps and buses are ready – everything is set for a praise singing session in honor of the governor – still wondering who bewitched us!
Those who wish to are free to celebrate their “demonstration of craziness”. As for me, the only time I will start celebrating this day will be when the people start having a formidable say in the government of the state.
And of course we know that when the people are freely given the right platform to speak their minds, we’ll start getting rid of mediocre, democratically unconscious, absolute unserious and clueless so-called leaders from our system.
But until then, just for formality, let me wish every right thinking Nigerian a happy “democracy” day in the true sense of it!
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