Manipulated democracy- Adedapo Taiwo Emmanuel

 

It can be recalled that we have spent more than two decades in this uninterrupted democracy since 1999 to this moment. To start with; democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Featuring rule of law, security of lives of people, equality before the law and freedom of expression and rights to protest and assemble, but in real sense, are we practicing all these in Nigeria?

The question asked above would be answered in the elucidations of what Democracy is below, but before that, let us trace the etymology of the system (Democracy) in Nigeria. In her journey towards democracy, she had her first republic beginning on 16th January 1963 and a military coup brought Major Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi to power, terminating the first period of democratic rule in 1966. 

The trapping of a democratic state was seen in Nigeria at independence; the country had a federal constitution that ensured a large measure of autonomy to the regions existing then. The country was practicing parliamentary democracy modelled along British lines that stressed majority rule. Unlike many African states which the adopted one-party system, Nigeria had a functional, albeit, regionally based multiparty system. Despite these democratic trappings of the 1st republic, it contained some fundamental and structural weaknesses that made sure that the republic did not survive.

 One significant weakness is the disproportionate power of the North in the federation. There was the regional power in balance. Another weakness found was the AG leadership crisis that led to the balkanization of the western region. The lack of freedom and fairness of the 1964 elections was the final straw that broke the camel’s back, the fall of the first republic. 

The second republic followed from 1979 – 1983, with Shehu Shagari as the elected president; It fell as a result of massive corruption and administrative incompetence. The military intervened to stop corrupt politicians whose actions grossly undermined government’s efforts.

The third republic (1992 – 1993) was an unsuccessful attempt by General Ibrahim Babangida to restore Nigeria to democracy largely due to the political turmoil that followed which the interim national government failed to manage. 

The fourth republic was constituted on May 29th, 1999 and it continued till date. It also has its challenges ranging from election malpractices, bad governance, and majority’s tyrannical acts over minority rights, political party indiscipline, abuse of power, constitutional breaches, amongst others. These have affected adversely democratic stability and consolidation.

In Nigeria ridiculous journey with democracy, the fundamental question that stands out is: How far has the masses benefitted from this ‘Nigerian Democracy’? Is everyone given the opportunity to participate, and freely exchange ideas through debates, discussions and the likes? The answer is no! What we have is manipulated system of democracy.

Let us relate some expedient elements of Democratic Government:

• The Rule of the Law (Constitution)

A constitution is an instrument of government made by the people, establishing the structure of a country, regulating the powers and functions of government, the rights and duties of the individual and providing remedies for unconstitutional acts. In a democratic system of government, rule of law should be strictly adhered to, where everybody should be equal before the law. All persons in the society should be equal before the law of the land because the law does not know his master, the law should be applied equally to both the rulers and the ruled.   Sharp contradiction of rule of law is what we are practicing in Nigeria, rulers are far above the law in this country, they can behave the way they like, I will not bore us explaining this, but will give recent happenings in the country where microblogging site known as Twitter was suspended because an individual tweet threatening the lives of citizens was deleted by the Twitter. After all, it contradicts its policy, but instead of the Presidency acting democratically, what we saw was the banning of the site, denying millions of Nigerians the right to freedom of expression.

• Fundamental human rights:

 The major feature of Democracy is the rights of citizens and liberty, but do we have such in Nigeria? In Nigeria rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and the right to life of people have been drastically denied.

In Nigeria mostly under this present regime led by Buhari has denied people their rights, for instance, protest is like a capital offence as many peaceful protesters have been killed and many have been jailed till now. Freedom of speech and expression is not in practice in the nation especially under this administration, as anything that is not “Sai baba,” now is tagged hate speech, FG through minister of information Lie Muhamed has banned many radios and Tv stations, even many efforts have me made to pass social media bill to restrict some persons from free speech.

• Security of citizens’ lives:

In democratic state security of citizens’ lives should be paramount to any responsible government, but as its stands, in Nigeria, we have reached the peak of insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and herders crisis and many other insecurities facing Nigerians daily, and our president is not doing anything on it, the recent interview of the president by Arise TV has made many Nigerians believe we have entered harvest of insecurity because how on earth will a president be shifting responsibilities ?

 Imagine a president laughing at a crucial issue like security, he was even shifting responsibility by saying governors should go and secure their respective states, many other issues and features of democracy have made us understood in Nigeria that democracy is being manipulated because they only exist on paper, but has been erased in real life.

In Nigeria, Democracy lacks basic trust. It is an Africa problem, but Nigeria got the larger portion as our democratic practice is very poor. The citizens should be the starting point and focus of democracy, but the opposite is being witnessed in Nigeria, as politicians represent their businesses interest.

Now to what we are celebrating today, Democracy or crazy demo? Previously may 29 of every year was the day of celebration of this democracy, but it was changed in to June 12 in 2018 and we started celebrating in 2019, what manipulating skills the Fulanis cabals have got! Celebrating the death of Abiola after he was molested and killed by them, but due to political gain and election purpose, they turned a ruminating day in the west to national day, so, the tribe will be celebrating the victory that was never enjoyed and the evil done to the entire west. What a great manipulation!

Finally, this piece is just a remembrance to fellow Nigerians that the basic elements of democracy has been manipulated, and its worth celebrating if we have all the elements of democracy and it can only be evident and rooted in Nigeria when we embrace democracy in full.

Adedapo Taiwo Emmanuel (Network) writes from OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.