Since Nigeria got
her Independence in 1960, it has experienced coups and counter coups, Biafra
War, series of agitations and rumors of wars. Like the adage that says: ‘When a
man marries two wives, he will know the good one’, Nigeria has practiced both military
and democratic government; hence, ought to have known the one that guarantees
peace and stability. Even though it is confusing to say boldly which one is
better, judging by what is going on in the country today, the fact remains that
democracy can never be overlooked. Going by its definition, democracy is the
government of the people by the people and for the people. Globally, it is the
only system of government with tenets that accommodates the rights of the
citizens which in essence does not give room for war. I will base my case on
the following points:
Democracy ensures
political freedom: This means in essence that in a democratic rule, there is
freedom to form parties. People have the right to determine and change
constitutional order, the right to vote and be voted for. This practice in
essence ensures that there is equal participation, hence, channeling the minds
of people away from war situations.
Democracy ensures
equal right of the citizens: In democratic rule, everyone is equal before the
law; there is equal protection in the court in the court of law. Hence, for
every offense committed, there is equal punishment for all that committed it,
poor or rich, etc. There are no special privileges or restrictions when it
comes to race, political beliefs, religion, status, class, etc. How can there
be agitations, hate speeches, rumors of wars, etc., enough to bring about wars
when these practices are in place? We may have found ourselves in a strange
democracy that makes no sense compared to democracy practiced in other
developed countries of the world but let us not forget that those that has been
in the centre of our democracy are retired military rulers. Their military
ideology has polluted our democracy because a general is always a general.
There is freedom
of information in Democratic Rule: It was in democratic regime that freedom of
information bill was signed into law. This law promotes transparency and
accountability in government, and gives the citizens access to public records.
For this reason, information access to the average citizen has increased tremendously.
This has helped the citizens to know what is going on in the helm of affairs;
thereby knowing what to do, what not to do and how to face problem situations
so as not to instigate war.
Democracy ensures
freedom of speech: Democracy gives people the power to express their views,
criticize the government, etc., thereby, making the leaders to redress their
steps and not abuse the privilege given to them. This is because if their
excesses are not checked, they are enough to bring about wars. The present
administrator is a typical example. His government is characterized by hatred,
vengeance, selfishness, tribalism, etc. He brought his military regime ideology
into democracy. If not for free speech that people resort to vent their anger
and frustrations, who knows; war may have ensued. But today, the media can tell
the people what is going on in the helm of affairs without being jailed for it.
It was not so during the military era. For example, during his military regime,
Buhari jailed Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson of ‘The Guardian Newspaper’ on
stories that were factually true.
Concerned
citizens may argue “how come Nigeria still face the problem of social
injustice, human right abuse, imposition of leaders, marginalization, poor
quality of life, unemployment, corruption, etc. in Nigerian democratic setting”?
This is true but I deem it right to say that the above mentioned vices are
still found in other systems of government but with little or no opinion from
the people. No wonder Sen. Hope Uzodinma said “Although democracy is not
practiced in Nigeria as it should, the worst of it is better than military rule”.
He added that we are better off disagreeing to agree, having the opportunity to
air our views and contributing our quota to the development of the nation. Democracy
is the best bet that gives citizens the power to use words to change things for
good, which I know will be the outcome in this democratic Nigeria when the
majority accept and live by the tenets of democracy.
Late Umaru Musa
Yar’adua and former president Goodluck Jonathan were the two pure democrats
that have ruled Nigeria and every well meaning Nigerian can attest that the
citizens felt the air of democracy during their regime. The fact that they
failed in some areas is because they were surrounded by animal species that
were ready for war if things do not go their way. This is unlike what is
happening today. Majority of our leaders in the helm of affairs do not want to
criticize the president for fear of losing their positions. Thanks to the
freedom of information law and free speech, one of the dividends of democracy,
for giving the media the power to share information for public enlightenment,
thereby curbing war like situations.
The only
bottleneck suffocating democracy is the fact that those at the centre of it are
retired military leaders who merged democracy with military rule ideology. It
is said that two cannot walk together except they agree. There is therefore no
way military ideology will agree with democratic ideology; they must clash, but
not for war, because democracy will prevail because of its freedom nature.
Democracy is no doubt
the best system of government in Nigeria, but will only bring positive results when
pure democrats begin to control it, and surrounded by leaders that are not
affected by military/cannibalistic ideology. We are yet to experience a working
democracy. For now Nigerian democracy has no definition.
Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi
