Democracy Day Celebration 2018: Nigeria at Crossroads
Nigeria marks 19 years since we transited from military dictatorship to democracy. PDP held the fort until 2015 when APC mounted the saddle. Suffix it to say that the best of military rule is worse than the worst democracy with particular reference to Africa. I have been chronicling our journey through democracy especially in this last three years of the fourth republic. In all honesty, democratic growth has stunted and many seem to be disgusted while others wish the men in khaki would come to the rescue. That should be the last wish of every Nigerian that desires freedom, unity, peace, progress and tranquility. Not ignorant of the fact that Nigeria’s woes have been compounded over the past few years, we all have to come to the understanding that statehood is a journey, albeit one in which the right decisions should be made. Majority can make a bad decision, which will rub off negatively on the entire populace. This was where Nigeria found itself in 2015 when President Buhari was elected on the back of widespread populism with high expectations that he will better our democracy.
Today Nigerians don’t feel that enthusiasm associated with public holidays set aside to commemorate important events in the life of the republic, they are sang-froid in the face of numerous incitements by the state which conspires to deny them the basic necessities of life and fail to protect them. Those days when it was a tradition to listen to the national broadcast which gives renewed hope and faith in motherland are no more. The number of Nigerians lamenting the economic hardship and widespread insecurity is alarming. Instead of the hastag #HappyDemocracyDay, Nigerians prefer #DemocracyDay because there are not much to be happy about. The preceding day to the democracy day saw many across the length and breadth of Nigeria taking part in #NigeriaMourns to pay respect to those that have been consumed in the incessant killings in the Middle Belt, North Central and North East.
Talking about the democracy day speech by the president, in his usual highfalutin demeanor, he pointed out that his administration has performed creditably well in the three cardinal areas of security, corruption and economy on which he campaigned in 2015. However, it is obvious to all that his claims should be taken with a pinch of salt. We are in perilous times. The president’s body language can only be described as ostrich mentality. No mention of pertinent issues such as the kidnapping of over 100 commuters by bandits along the Abuja-Kaduna road. There has been a media blackout on that sickening development. Meanwhile, the economy is dire straits. Millions of jobs have been lost and corruption has exacerbated. Nigeria’s corruption index has in fact tanked in 2017 rating by Transparency International (TI) to 148th. Media reports of high profile corruption in NNPC, Nigeria’s oil company shows the menace has escalated. TI raised alarm on the use of about $600m, more than the budget of the armed forces as “slush” funds by the federal and states governments to fund elections. They called on the government to end the use of security votes as it is called. Cost of living has become unbearable with the sharp rise in prices of goods and services with inflation at very high levels. In fact, as I typed this short article to mark the democracy day, the president claimed that Nigerians are using more power from public power supply than their generators. However, Nigerians disagree and we are using more petrol today than ever. Not that the number of cars on our streets have increased amidst the recession, invariably the extra usage goes to generators. The recent music cover by Falz ‘#ThisIsNigeria’, originally by Childish Gambino in ‘#ThisIsAmerica’ sheds light on the burning issues plaguing the country. One can lament about the shortcomings of this government for as long as ever but we all know that to change the status quo, we all have to get our PVC to vote good governance in 2019.
The Senate president in his own message warned of the persecution of opposition and perceived enemies of the government and it is no longer news that staunch supporters of Mr Buhari such as Mr Atiku Abubukar and ex-President Obasanjo have fallen out with him. The government is now looking into the allegations of Obasanjo’s administration $16b power projects and one wonders why it has not done so since the past three years only waiting for when they were not in good terms to commence investigations. Fela calls this ‘paddy paddy’ government. Nigerians have the chance to vote a better government in 2019. Many have remarked that come 2019, President Buhari would be handing over power to the next president. I only wish that we would elect a more competent leader that will improve the fortunes of Nigeria and Nigerians so that the coming democracy days celebrations will bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians. Democracy, which is synonymous with freedom and good governance, is the best option for Nigeria, however Nigerians have are yet to experience the better part of democracy. With power of PVC in our hands, I believe we as a people can steer the ship of state in the right direction. God Bless Nigeria!
