Back in May 1999, at the dawn of another attempt at democratizing the nation, many Nigerians yearned for a better society — one that truly brings the genuine dividends of democracy. Tens years later (the longest period Nigeria has ever been under democracy) it’s debatable whether democracy — as practiced by the politicians and understood by the electorate — has made significant difference.
In what sector of the society has democracy made the most difference in Nigeria?
Is it in freedom of speech; accountability and rule of law; human rights and improved standard of living — reflected in lower crime rate; better education, improved access to health care and increasing socioeconomic status?
Sadly none of those indicators has improved over the last 10 years in Nigeria.
Democracy has not had significant and direct benefit to the people, particularly those at the lower strata of society, for one simple reason. The majority of the office holders and politicians lack genuine social agenda and the aptitude to bring about sustainable changes in the society.
Public service is not the motivating factor in Nigerian politics, at least over the last 10 years. The lure of power for personal gains is.
And would you agree that this singular factor has contributed in making Nigeria more undemocratic today than 10 years ago?
Your thoughts…
PS:
This is an image I must share. Here is one of the political players in the south western axis. His name is Alao-Akala, a retired cop. He’s the executive governor of the largest state in the region.
My observations of him over the years has earned him the “Most Glamorous Governor” title. A day hardly goes by without seeing his face in the news papers. But don’t be deceived, his is the classic example of an empty barrel… there are many of his kind in Nigeria.
Nigeria is being mismanaged because the wrong people are in charge. Simple. People like Ala–Akala!!!!
May 29, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Ten years of democracy, has Nigeria fared better or worse? IMO, Nigeria is not better or worse, just different but we are not doing things differently i.e. not protecting the future. The 1960s ideology of thievery has created the democratic tyranny that our society respond to. Our special brand of democracy cannot be measured in universally recognized achievements of human civilization, which are human rights, democracy, and the responsiveness to public opinion. The oil war in the Niger-Delta since Biafra is an indictment of 10 years of democracy.
Forbes world billionaires hailed Alhaji Aliko Dangote (of the famed special gifts to members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party) while in his back water Kano people stilll live like they did 100 years ago. Over 70% of Nigerians live below poverty level by Special Assist to the President on MDGs, Hajia Amina Ibrahim is perhaps the best measure of the issue here. On the one hand we have systems in place that measure and record. On the other, we are still that rich poor child that has barely moved since independence.
May 30, 2009 at 2:31 am
It is just a case of Democracy being mispelt. Simple. In Nigeria what we have is DemoCrazy without the demonstration. We have not fared better at all. Pre Democracy, there was a time when bribery and corruption would land you in jail, what happens now. Open Bribery and glamorised, glorified and adulated corruption in all quarters, from head down and vice versa.
There was also a time when Nigeria was actively part of the Commonwealth, respected and a country of pride. What do we have now? Nigeria has indeed plunged into the doldrums. There was a time when you could call Nigeria the giant of Africa. But now Ghana, South Africa and many other countries even without mineral resources would win the race for the same name while Nigeria and Nigerians keep on fooling one another. Nigeria is the real country that “Cry My Beloved” now refers to.
Except we want to go on fooling ourselves, Nigeria is in deeep trouble, the leaders and wanna bee leaders are not interested in changing the rotten and decadent status quo. From a tyranical head of state to a dozey clueless one, Nigeria is a wall that has too many cracks that all forms of Lizards have decided to take over. GOD HELP US.
ALAO AKALA IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM AND NOT EVEN THE MOST PRBOBLEMATIC PROBLEM, AT LEAST HE DOES HIS MADNESS OPENLY, BUT WHEN I THINK OF THE COVERT SNAKEY WAYS OF PEOPLE LIKE WAZIRI, AKUNYILI et all, I SHUDDER.
Latest exchange rate I hear is 1pound = 280naira! lol!!!
June 5, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Now I have a question? Who will seal up the cracks and burn up the Lizards? Your guess is as good as mine… it is a case of waiting for who will bell the cat, or waiting for Godot but not who killed cockrobin!!
June 5, 2009 at 2:13 pm
The Okija Gangs Don(OGD) and his cohorts revealing there secret blood oaths is another disheartnening and shocking news
that royal fathers could descend so low because of chinchin is even pathetic
July 3, 2009 at 5:15 am
Yes Mayor, disheartening news indeed but not surprising. Many have left God to trust in chariots and horses and vooodoo and rituals and you name it. But in the name of the living God Jehovah Almighty who they have decided to desert, they will keep stumbling and falling and getting exposed and shamed and turned to laughing stocks in Jesus name. They will roast and rot and burn while all those who truly trust and believe and wait on GOD will rise and remain upright. There should be more to come in terms of exposures for the hand of
God is at work and people should keep learning from all this.
July 3, 2009 at 10:13 am
democracy is a jur jur not war war. but not in nigeria, because you cannot SAY.
December 3, 2009 at 11:06 am
Very interesting.
January 10, 2010 at 5:59 am
The political instability in nigeria today is a product of political perversions .Therefore peace shall remain unattainable unless it is based on truth and justice.
February 22, 2010 at 3:18 am
I JUST WANT TO SAY WELLDONE SIR. AND THANKS FOR ALL WHAT YOU ARE DO IN OYO STATE; MOGBA ADURA WIPE OLUWA YIO MA WA PELU YIN (AMIN). ADEBIYI OLADIMEJI. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
May 19, 2010 at 7:18 am