Wither Democracy?

Nigeria is no doubt, a great nation and judging from its inception in democratic experience at the dawn of 4th Republic, the value of democracy has since withered. The meaning  of democracy which is the government of the people, by the people and for the people according to Abraham Lincoln has been thrown overboard.

The political scene in the country is not healthy enough to encourage the growth of democracy and the leaders are not helping matters to mould the political future of the nation. No wonder today, Nigeria is operating a system of democracy in which the leaders think more of what they can get from the system rather than what they would give to improve the lots of the people. With the interest of the people not their primary concern, the latter are left with the direct burden of misrule or democrat which include unemployment, poverty and non-provision of social amenities amongst others.

To remove the interest of the people  from governance is to remove the soul of democracy. Democracy believes in the people. It is centered on the people and as such desires to make the best for the people. It is only when the nation’s leaders embrace the true meaning of democracy that the dream of Nigeria can be actualised.

The hope of Nigeria’s democracy rests on the tripod of free and fair election, rule of law and enlightened electorate. Unfortunately, corruption has rubbished every sincere attempt to make democracy work in the polity. With a free and fair election, the mandate of the electorate is guaranteed to choose rightly who should lead them.

Nigeria’s democracy can not flourish where there is no rule of law. There is need for both the ruled and rulers to cultivate the right spirit of rule of law in governance.

While the issue of corruption remains a pain in the neck, it is disheartening that the polity is still a victim of tribalism. No Nigerian or section should claim the right to rule. Beyond sectionalism, leadership should be for people with great minds and dreams.

The existence of freedom of the press in Nigeria is another factor that can take democracy to another level. It is not enough to have the press but having the commitment of the press is all that matters.

The press, as it is rightly said is the mirror of the society and it is only when the press enjoy the freedom to operate that the ill or vices in the society can be brought to limelight. Therefore, for Nigeria’s polity to go farther than where it is today, the freedom of the press and the citizenry is imperative.

Politics in Nigeria, has great prospects if the minority are not left out in the strategic plans of the government in power. The government should carry the people along in its scheme of things.

The failure of the government to meet the basic needs of the citizenry have left many to doubt the responsiveness of the leaders to give the people a taste of good governance.

In the midst of unpalatable happenings in the polity, one is tempted to conclude whither democracy in Nigeria.