By Olakunle Agboola – History will not forget the gallant victory of M.K.O Abiola on June 12, 1993, general election, Nigerians gave Chief Moshood Abiola and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe a pan-Nigerian mandate. They were elected President and Vice-President respectively despite the two of them being ardent Muslims. Unfortunately, that pan-Nigerian mandate was rescinded by the then-military government. This caused major mayhem within the political space it later escalated to protests and uprisings across the nation.
MKO Abiola was arrested for defending his victory and declaring himself as Nigeria’s president. He became the sacrificial lamb for the birth of a new nation in 1999 having Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of Yoruba descent as Nigeria’s democratic elected president. About 29 years after, it is obvious that Nigerians have not fully recovered from the aftermath of the June 12 poll annulment. And since 1999 when this republic started, one could ask if Nigeria’s democracy has fully evolved nor has the politicians internalized the lessons of June 12.
Olumide Adeoye, a Nigerian political activist did not mince words when asked about his opinion about the democracy day. He said Nigeria‘s democracy has not evolved, and he doubts if Nigeria is practicing democracy.
“It is obvious that politics is still bedeviled by clannishness and exclusion of a certain section of the country which was played out in just-concluded party primaries.
The slot for the PDP went to the North-East, while that of the APC went to the South-West. As always, the South-East was completely relegated. The continued exclusion of the South-East region from the national politics portends great danger and does not augur well for the sustenance of our democracy and the unity of the country. Why can’t we have the president from the South East?’”
Bode Adeoye, a lawyer by profession attested that leadership has been the major problem hampering the development of democracy in Nigeria and he feels leadership choice has not reflected the wishes of the electorate and the majority of Nigerians.
“We have seen cases of impunity and imposition of candidates and lack of internal democracy in almost all the parties. Sometimes, voting goes in line with our fault lines without the voters considering their future and that of their children. In most cases, money is the name of the game as political positions usually go to the highest bidder. Many hungry voters are also compromised to vote against their conscience. Look at how delegates were paid in just concluded Primaries. Some came back with huge sums of money to buy cars. It is obvious that the political parties are weak and on a faulty foundation to birth a great leader who will take Nigeria to her promised land”
Corruption has not been too far away from the Nigerian state. It is systemic and that is why President Muhammadu Buhari, despite making strong pledges to fight it, has failed in curbing the monster.
Deji Obe, a Nigerian social commentator thinks that it will take a strong government and institution to destroy the seed of corruption in Nigeria.
“In Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, one can hardly process any document or contract without greasing the palms of some officials. The suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, is currently under investigation over allegations of defrauding the nation to the tune of N80 billion. Several pieces of money were stolen that are never been recovered. Political representatives steal from the government purse and budget part of the money to defend themselves in court. We are in a fix”
Insecurity has continued to be a major concern creating a huge impediment to the development of democracy in Nigeria. The recent killings in Catholic Church in Owo are a clear indication that the government has failed to protect its citizens. Dissecting the state of the nation with former Nigeria Ambassador to the Philippines last week, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, he said, “ the security architecture of the country has failed and the citizens might have to look inward to ensure they stay safe”
“Across the country are gruesome killings that appear not to have an end. We were yet to overcome the barbaric killing of a young female student in Sokoto, Deborah Yakubu, for alleged blasphemy when a group of terrorists invaded St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and killing over 40 innocent worshippers. Many others sustained varying degrees of injuries. So far, no arrest has been made. And none may ever be made. This type of killings with impunity cuts across the entire country. We can not say we are democratically governed if the citizens are timid to go on with their daily lives”
Democracy can’t work in the absence of justice and political inclusion. Democracy must be practiced on a rule of law and justice. Also, politics of ideology must be the foundation of a profound democratic society instead of the present money politics that won’t take Nigeria anywhere. The year 2023 presents itself as another opportunity to fix the nation. Due process must reflect in the Nigerian democratic ethos then one can vote and the vote can count.
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