What Manner Of Democracy?

I have ruminated extensively on the system of government being practised in our beloved country Nigeria. I ask irresistibly what system of government are we really practicing? To my utter consternation, the answer inevitably suffices, in a question format: that manner of democracy.
Let us put on our cap of critical rationality, are we really practicing democracy in an ideal manner? Basically no. If yes, we are saddled with the onus of answering the question that rightly confronts us, what is democracy? Democracy as postulated by Abraham Lincoln, is government of the people by the people and for the people. But in a context where democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people. It is into a fragment, and a mere mirage.
In the words of Appadorai “by democracy we mean that form of government in which the ruling power of a state is legally vested not in any particular class or classes but in the members of a country as a whole”.
This vividly lend credence to the fact that democracy does not exist in isolation, the people must be involved, by implication. They must be part and parcel of the system for it to function effectively and ideally because, power rests in the hands of the people.
It is the importance which a democratic system attaches to human personality that makes it valuable. Democracy can also mean, a system of government under which the people exercise the government power, either directly or indirectly through representatives periodically elected by themselves.
It makes us to melt in the wing of memory on how democracy was actually practiced in the ancient Greek city-state, the people in the ancient Greek state were given equal right to deliberate on issues and things that directly affect tem through a direct system or democracy. This no doubt may be attributed to the city-state as at then, vis-avis the system of indirect democracy being practiced in our beloved country Nigeria.
A critical view apparently reveal that, democracy in our country is but, a mountain of illusion palpitating in the web debacle.
Democracy where there is imposition of candidates? A true democracy where a credible election can not hold; devoid of unnecessary intimidation, gangsterism, rancour, fracas and assassination Democracy where law promulgators are the law violators? How real is democracy, where the law only governs the downtrodden? In a democratic state where we have watched the gradual but brutal attention of this value called freedom, watched it replaced by fear, uncertainty, insecurity and dread of the future. It is absolutely ridiculous and nefarious in a democracy where our representative perceive the freedom of information bill as an aberration? Do we still call it democracy where meritocracy has been sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity? What manner of democracy where our so called leaders find it splendiferous to indulge in fanfare of squander mania leaving the people they claim to represent in squalor without remorse? Still democracy where injustice, nepotism, tribalism and subjugation are adored and glorified?
It is quite astounding, in a democratic systems where illegality is being legalised to suit the whims and caprices of the powerful, what a charade? A system where those saddled with the obligation of protecting lives and properties have deviated from their legitimate obligation leaving the substance to pursue the shadow. The system is nothing but, a simulative system of indirect representation.
I want to make it categorically clear without fear that if our nascent democracy must stand the test of time, efforts should be intensified to enforce measures on ground towards the conduction of a credible election. For us to actualise this we have to ensure that, the right people in the right frame of mind, perception, mentally and most importantly with the fear of God should be in charge.
In a democratic, setting fundamental human rights should be held sacrosanct. Among those rights, freedom of speech is quintessential and sine quano to achieve other rights. It makes the people to continuously participate in the activities of government.
Democracy should be based on a belief in the value of the individual’s personality. This implies the obligation to respect the other man, to listen to his argument and to take into account his point(s) of view. According to Helvetius “I detest your opinions, but I will contend to the death of your right to utter them”.
The process of law making should therefore allow full scope of the consideration of different and opposing viewpoints.
A true democracy should help to produce thinking human beings, men and women who will take an intelligent interest in public affairs, and will be critical of the government, who will be tolerant of views different from their own, and who will not prevent public power to private interest.
Until we actualise these feats, it is not yet “Uhuru” for democracy in Nigeria.
Ojukwu wrote in from Awka.

Rita Ojukwu