NIGERIA DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION - EVERY 29TH MAY

HOW DEMOCRATIC IS NIGERIA?

...By Kelechi Amucha

Let me believe that Nigeria is enjoying a democratic government since 29^th May, 1999. But how democratically is Nigeria democracy?

U.S. president Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) defined democracy as “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” Is this definition applicable to Nigeria?

Democracy has being viewed as a form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law.

Nigeria in order to deserve the label “modern democracy” needs to fulfil some basic requirements - and they need not only be written down in our constitution but must be kept up in everyday life by our politicians and authorities:

Real democracy is a guarantee of basic Human Rights to every individual person vis-à-vis the state and its authorities as well as vis-à-vis any social groups (especially religious institutions) and vis-à-vis other persons.

No nation can practice true democracy in the absence of security of lives and properties. The insurgence of Boko haram and other militant groups in Nigeria is not a credit to Nigeria democracy. Nigeria can only enjoy democracy if the rule of law is hold in high esteem and the strict adherence to the elements of true democracy; these include

* Proper separation of Powers between the institutions of the state:
    Government [Executive Power],
    Parliament [Legislative Power] and
    Courts of Law [Judicative Power]

* Freedom of opinion, speech, press and mass media

   Religious liberty

* General and equal right to vote (one person, one vote)

* Good Governance (focus on public interest and absence of corruption)

There seems to be a great confusion what the word “Democracy” in Nigeria. In spite of, one can only hear it from the media every day.  One wonders when Nigeria will be fully democratic.

A political scientist would agree with me that Nigeria seems to be practising “Representative democracy” Representative democracy would be fine if the representatives would really make all their decisions only after consulting their constituencies. In the least, after having a clear idea about the views of their constituents on a particular issue, and trying to accommodate these views as best as possible (or postpone the decisions until an overwhelming majority of the constituents would be happy with them).

Nigerians can vote usually only once every four years. They do not vote on any issues. They just elect their so called representatives who then until the next elections have no obligations by law and little incentives to base their decisions on individual issues on the wishes on their electorate. They hardly ever bother to consult them on their stands on various issues. Therefore, legislative bodies composed of such "representatives" act in a very dictatorial manner between the elections. Again the credibility of these elections makes one to ask “how democratic is Nigeria?” Selection has replaced election. What do you think? Are you happy with this? Isn't it time to do better? It all should depend on you, the citizens - which system you prefer.  Shun political lobbyists; stop mortgaging your votes. Are you willing to be morally sound and positively enlightened, to give some of your free time to be interested in public matters, and to participate in decision making?

There is no such thing as the "perfect form of government" on earth, but any other form of government produces even less desirable results than democracy. Until today, no other form of government has been invented that could regulate public affairs better than democracy. Politicians should be your humble servants, not your all-powerful masters. So let’s nourish and cherish our Nigerian democracy. God bless all Nigerians as we celebrate this year’s Nigerian Democracy day.