Democracy is an egalitarian form of government in which  citizens of a nation determine  public policy, the laws and the actions of their state, requiring that all citizens have equal opportunity to express their opinion.

The most common system  deemed  “democratic” in modern world is parliamentary system of government in which the voting public take part in elections and choose politicians to represent them. Such representatives take decisions on behalf of those they represent at whatever level, such as int he legislative arm of government.

The term “democracy”, comes from the Greek word, onjuokaria (demokratia), meaning “rule of the people,” which was coined from orjuo (demos) meaning “people,” and kpator (kratos) meaning “power in the middle of the 5th-4th century BC, to denote the political systems that existed in some Greek states, notably Athens, following a popular uprising in 508BC.

Elements considered essential to democracy include freedom of political expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, so that citizens are adequately informed and able to vote according to their own best interests, as they see them.

Democracy is often used as shorthand for liberal democracy, which may include elements such as political pluralism, equality before the law,the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances, due process, civil liberties, human rights and elements, civil society outside the government.

Nigeria operates the presidential system of government and have three tiers of government: the Federal, States and the Local Governments. The composition of the Local Governments Areas was to create and ensure development in these parts of the country.

It is on this ground that the idea of separation of powers, checks and balances came to be. Separation of power is a doctrine which provides a separate authority that makes it possible for the authority to check others.

The implication is that the functions of the three arms of government should be carried out by separate bodies of the people. so that each could act as a check against the other to avoid the concentration of power in the hands of a few.

The doctrine is associated with French philosopher, Montesquieu, and the clearest example of this is found in the American Constitution where the legislative power of the federation is vested in a Congress, the executive power is vested in the president and judicial power in the supreme court

This  system was designed  to ensure that the two arms of government have different functions, while the executive have the sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state or local government, as the case may be. the legislature is the arm of government that makes laws.

The executives also have the power to enforce laws made by the legislature.

The legislature therefore is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend and repeal laws. It has an exclusive authority to raise and adopt the budget and other money bills.

With the foregoing in view, the crisis in the port Harcourt City council in Rivers State, where the executive and legislative assembly have been at logger-head for over one month  is something to be worried about.

Many have said the essenced of electing those at the head of affairs have been defeated following the continued in-house fighting over who leads the legislature.

The two arms have  not  worked together since after the election and inauguration of the two arms last year. Things became worst  when  the Chairman of the local Government, Hon Chimbiko Akarolo returned to the council  after his suspension was lifted in January.

Akarolo was among the 12 local government chairmen  suspended last December by the executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi. The suspension, according to the Governor, was to ensure that the chairmen live up to their responsibilities by  delivering dividends of democracy to their people.

Many analysts believed that the  Chairmen became lords soon after they were elected into office. They no longer attended meetings to brain storm on how to help the state government develop their areas. These 12 Chairmen became scape goats when a meeting of stakeholders was called in December by Governor Chibuike  Amaechi with only 11 chairmen in attendance.

Their attitudes did not go down well with the Governor, who had stated his determination to ensure that all parts of  the state is developed. He suspended the 12 chairmen and swore in their Deputy two days later to handle the affairs of their local governments with a view to ensuring development.

The story of the Port Harcourt City council started in February when Hon Endurance Elenwo, councilor representing the council in Ward 15, wrote a petition on misappropriation, Gross misconduct, abuse of office and misinformation meted by the house leader, Mr Kingsly Owhonda Amadi of the legislative Assembly.

Mr Elenwo, while moving a motion to impeach Mr Amadi as the leader, noted that members of the legislative assembly were sworn into office on June 3rd and the leader declared the sum of three Million, five hundred naira as house vote whereas, the sum of Four Million was released by the executive chairman.

According to the letter, dated 20th February, Mr Elenwo noted that upon being confronted, Mr Amadi,  admitted but could not explain the whereabout of the remaining five hundred thousand naira.

The letter further noted that in December,2011,the sum of two hundred thousand naira was released for Mock session of the house  to Mr Amadi, the house leader, by the executive chairman and he, Amadi, declared One hundred thousand and also could not account for the remaining One hundred thousand Naira.

These and many other reasons culminated in the impeachment of the leader. It was learnt that 13 councillors, which represents the majority, and  two third voted for the impeachment of Mr Kingsly Owhonda  Amadi as the leader of the Port Harcourt City Legislative Assembly which subsequently elected Bar. Linda Amadi as leader.

It was learnt that the situation did not go down well with the Executive, headed by the Chairman, Hon Chimbiko Akarolo, who insisted that the impeached Leader must be reinstated.

The matter has gone through a long process of settlement from government House, to the State security service,(SSS), Police command as well as the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

In each of these, the question raised by the Councilors was “why is the chairman interested in a legislative matter  and a man that was been alleged to have misappropriate funds.”

The story, funny as it may sound, became more worrisome even when the Clerk of the House, who would have protected the house went on to conduct an illegal meeting or sitting by the so-called minority. News have it last week that the Chairman, Hon Chimbiko Akarolo presented his 2012 budget to six councilors  presided over by the impeached leader.

The crisis which took another dimension also believed that the six councilors have approved the budget and the impeached leader went to court after one week of impeachment.

But the new leader, Barrister Linda Amadi, insisted that the Majority councilors are not going back and would fight to the end. She also noted that the Clerk of the House, who witnessed the Impeachment of Mr Amadi and was faulty alongside the Chairman, who has decided to frustrate the legislative assembly

She noted that the majority have written to authorities and recommended punishment for the Clerk while the Assembly may proceed on Impeachment on the chairman.

Many stakeholders in the local government  have questioned  the Chairman on his interest in involving in legislative matters ,instead of concentrating on his administrative and executive work.

The in-house fight between the two arms of the local government  has paralysed  the development of the area. Many believe that the present executive has failed in its efforts to represent the people in all ramifications of governance, noting that after about 10 months, the administration has not embarked on projects that would impart on the people.

Sources say that the continuous in-house fight would force the state government to dissolve the council to allow peace rain.

Having  analysed the scenario, however the question is “who is right and who is wrong?” Majority is often listed as a characteristic of democracy. But it is also possible for a minority to be oppressed by a tyranical majority in the absence of governmental or constitutional protections of individual or group rights. In the case, there is a Government and a constitution.

As the drama of who is at fault continue to unfold without a defined code, those who are authors in the game should also note that Port Harcourt is the capital of Rivers State, the “Treasure base of the nation” and that many are interested in the intrigues, and of the executive and the legislature of the Port Harcourt Local government.