(Modest Thoughts
with Ayuba, Yilgak’ha, June 12, 2024)
Democracy is
broad but at the centre of it are issues of leadership recruitment, the rule of
law which emphasises equality and fundamental human rights. Therefore, one
cannot be wrong to see democracy in terms of freedom of choice based on the
dictates of law and the superiority of majority decision.
This discourse
focuses on democracy in relations to constitutionalism, adherence to rules as
it affects leadership selection. Of all that matters in a democracy, periodic
election is key. However, electoral processes are best consummated through strict
adherence to regulatory provisions. That is why a country's Constitution and
Electoral Act are very important ground norms.
Today being June
12, Democracy is celebrated in Nigeria. Before now, the day was observed on May
29 until former President Muhammadu Buhari changed it in 2018. Since then, the
day has become a big day for National celebration as far as the history of
democracy of democracy in the country is concerned.
The
commemoration of the Day of Democracy is a period for sober reflection with MKO
Abiola of blessed memory at the centre of it. At a glance, it can be said that
the fallout of the annulment of the supposedly freest and fairest election which
produced the Late Chief as winner led to the spontaneous reaction from pro-democracy
groups, especially, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). The national
reaction led to the historic “stepping aside” of the then “Military President”
Ibrahim Badamasi Babagida (IBB) and the emergence of Earnest Shenekon’s led “Interim
National Government” (ING) and the eventual resignation of ‘the man in the
Mirror’. This was followed by the returned of military government under late
General Abacha who almost metamorphosed into a democratic president until death
snatched him out of the Seat of Power, the Aso Rock Villa before Abdulsalami
took over and led the country back to democratic rule on May 29, 1999 with former
President Olusegun Mathew Aremu Obasanjo kang charge for 8 years.
As can be seen, the
period between 1993 when the presidential election was annulled and the
returned of democracy on May 1999, a lot happened and in quick succession too. The
period was turbulent with so many twists and turns in the political space. During
the time, new political nomenclature like the ING or phrase like stepping aside
surfaced in the country before the invention and invocation of “Doctrine of
Necessity” which later followed under the transition era of former President Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan from Acting President to President, following the demise of the
then President Umaru Yar’ Adua of blessed memory on 5th May, 2010. This
history is very important as a way of appreciating the journey that led to the
birth of the Fourth Republic/current democratic dispensation.
Since the return
of democracy in 1999, May 29 has become handing over and taking over date
except for State with off-season elections due to election tribunals’ rulings
on governorship polls in those States. Be it May 29 or June 12, the fundamental
question that begs for prompt answer is whether or not Democracy Day should be
celebrated in Nigeria at all? This question is germane in view of the socio-economic
and political contradictions currently facing the country and its citizens. Irrespective
of what anybody can say, the reality is that most Nigerians are not smiling
under this democracy. Since 2019, Nigeria became the poverty capital of the
world after overtaking India. The country is battling multidimensional poverty
with over 63% of the citizens living in abject poverty occasioned by
unemployment, insecurity, policy failures, corruption, terminal diseases,
climate change, etc.
This idea that ‘the
worst democracy is better that best military regime’ has become a fairy tale. Democracy,
they say, is work in progress but it is grossly not working in Nigeria. The political
culture of the country seems to be in favour coercion if anything is to work at
all. Under democracy, for instance, Nigeria can hardly be restructured even
though the need for that is glaring.
How can a
country have states where majority of them cannot pay, at least, N62,000 minimum
wage that is not even enough to buy a bag of rice for its toiling citizens? How
can a country which cannot afford a decent living minimum wage build spatial accommodations
for its public officials (elective and appointive) with fat allowances to them?
What a visible case of inequality perpetrated in high places? Government
officials need decent houses to function, no doubt about it but the times are
hard to warrant any luxury for them now except if the narrative from government
that resources are grossly scarce is false or a mere excuse.
Democracy is supposed
to be an inclusive system. Being an inclusive system, democracy should deconstruct
inequality, equate opportunities and make human systems more responsive to the
needs of all. Democracy is a civilised and honourable system of politics that
serves as harbinger of hope for liberty and freedom. In other words, democracy
is about the rule of law that concerns the trinity of superiority of the law,
equality before the law and Fundamental Human Rights (FHRs) like the right to
life; the right to freedom of association and the right to freedom of choice. Democracy
is about good governance which is centred on transparency and accountability. Anything
outside these ideological frequencies is tantamount to tyranny and will not be desirable
in the system.
In some parts of the world, particularly, Africa
and Middle East, democracy is cultivated and nurtured carelessly. Most countries
within places ignore the fact that democracy and its cherishable dividends (fruits)
do not come by wishing thinking but practical commitment to its lofty ideals.
In Nigeria, for
instance, the reality of lawlessness, corruption and inequality and, the careless
manner in which these contradictions are fought is a pointer that the country’s
democracy has not matured yet. In other words, the existence of lawlessness, institutional
corruption and inequality have indicted Nigeria’s democratic credentials even
after 25 years of unbroken experience with the system.
The primary
responsibility of government is to ensure that the stability, security and
welfare of the citizenry is promptly and sustainably attained. No nation
strives and develops in an atmosphere of chaos and abject poverty. One of the potent
ways through which a country can achieve good governance is for its citizens to
respect and faithfully follow the dictates of extant laws and sound rules of
behaviour (ethics). In other words, constitutionalism, that is strict adherence
to rules must take precedence over lawlessness. Through rules, roles are
assigned to institutions and individuals in the polity (society).
When system
rules and processes are violated, there are fatal consequences. This lesson is
so loud a book titled, "People Like Us" written by Dominick Dunne, a
master storyteller.
In that book,
the author told his readers about the story of the struggles of a certain
Renthal Family whose ambition was to win acceptance in an elite society
characterised by Knowledge, wealth and ultimately power. The main characters Elias
and Ruby Renthal who left Cincinnati to build business empires in New York,
United Staes of America as well as Baily.
Elias and Ruby can
be likened to two politicians or two political parties contesting for an election.
Gus Bailey was a journalist whose primary responsibility was to observe and report
the cataclysms (catastrophic power plays) that determine who get what amongst
members of the ruling class. By schedule of duty, he can be likened to an Electoral
Umpire who ought to be independent and neutral in the discharge of his functions.
One of the most
outstanding features of the people in “People Like Us” was that they operated
their society based on detailed rules that were not followed to the latter. Gus
Bailey moved from his observatory, reporting or supervisory roles to be a power
player himself. This means there was a shift in role and the world of the society
referred to in the book never remained the same.
Shifting roles can
be described as situations whereby a person or group of people abandoned their
roles for other roles. It can also be seen as an unwelcomed deviation from a well-established
or acceptable ideological orientation or tradition.
In a democracy, periodic
election is a tradition which takes care leadership recruitment in the polity. The
credibility of the leadership selection process is the basic determinant of the
functionality and strength of the democratic system. Therefore, the conduct of free,
fair and credible election becomes a pivotal goal in every responsible
democracy.
In an ideal
electoral system, citizens/stakeholders play distinct roles. These roles include
that of electoral observers (civil society), news reporters (journalists), electoral
umpires (Independent Electoral Commission), impartial judges (tribunal judges),
partisan politicians (contestants) and electorates. If, however, an impartial
arbiter (observers, journalists, INEC or tribunal judges), directly or
indirectly, meddled into political ding dongs or vice versa, then, there will
be real problem. The electoral processes will be badly compromised with its
attendant negative consequences. This is squarely the bane of Nigerian’s democracy
within the context of its leadership recruitment process.
Gus Bailey, the observer,
enjoyed the trust of the political actors he was reporting but, having being armed
with their secret strategies, he decided to be a player as well. Morally, his
action was wrong but a typical politician will tell you there is no morality in
the game of politics.
The Gus’ scenario
has become a recurrent decimal in Nigeria's democratic enterprise or practice.
The country's political system cannot be trusted because our rules of
engagements have been betrayed in many ways than one and frequently too. There are
always reasons to suspect the sincerity of the moves of every political players
and those superintending over our electoral processes.
Nigeria celebrated its 25th Democracy Day yesterday.
The celebration was the Silver Jubilee of the country’s democracy. It can be
said that so much effort has been invested in Nigeria’s democracy but so much
is still left undone. With discipline and dedication to the ideals of democracy,
the next 25 years will be eventful for the common good. Happy Democracy Day Nigerians!
