Democracy is defined as “rule by the people”. After prolonged military rule in Nigeria and the subsequent return to democratic rule in 1999, the Nigerian people hoped for a life much better than during the military rule.
Fortunately, for democratic rule in Nigeria , political activities on the international scene have favoured- and are still favouring – the major source of income to the government which is oil. Prices of oil have been soaring higher and higher and in return, billions of dollars have been flowing into the government coffers.
Democratic governments and legitimate systems all over the world concerns centre around providing welfare and basic necessities that will make life easier and prepare its citizens for the challenge of nation building. Some countries, even though not endowed with natural resources, have used their initiatives to guarantee that lives of their citizens are at least comfortable and satisfactory.
But with democratic rule in Nigeria from 1999 to date, will the Nigerian people testify to any meaningful change that has brought about any positive change in their lives? Have they reaped any meaningful dividends of democracy? Is their will at the polls true reflection of their leaders and representatives? Are their leaders and representatives performance anything to hail up about? And have they held the trust invested on them sincerely? Answering these questions will help us to annalyse recent reports which show that despite Nigeria ’s plentiful resources and oil wealth, Nigeria is now considered one of the 20 poorest countries in the world, with over 70 per cent of its population classified as poor, with 35 per cent living in absolute poverty. Also reports indicate that 59,000 women die during or soon after childbirth every year, the second highest in the world after India .
Only very few Nigerians could testify that democratic rule from 1999 to date has direct positive impact on their lives. Among the very few are the politicians themselves, their families and cronies, business monguls and, consultants who have connections with politicians, professionals and academics given appointments to hold public offices and those that get tokens as defenders and promoters of politicians and public office holders.
The Nigerian people who don’t have connections with politicians are continuing to live in hardship and uncertain future. Poverty , maternal deaths, unemployment , insecurity, underpayment ,corruption , rigging of elections, lack of electricity, good drinking water and roads e.t.c seem to be their own portion of dividends of democracy .In some cases one notices absolute carelessness about the lives of citizens that work without salaries for several months in places partially or completely sold out by government. Cases of pensioners dieing on delayed payment queues are many.
Dividends of democracy are visible on politicians, public office holders and families and cronies of politicians. Flashy cars , exotic mansions and shopping malls, trip to foreign countries, expensive dresses and ornaments, fat bank accounts, established businesses e.t.c are some of the dividends of democracy that all can testify that those in the shade of governance do enjoy.
Masses are not envying politicians and their cronies for the life of comfort they are enjoying , rather they are demanding for what is supposed to be done to them to at least make life easier for them. They are also still confused as to which type of economic system we are operating as we are underpayed and at the same time the government keeps removing all subsidies that cushion the life of poor Nigerians against harder and brutish way of life.
Politicians have confused Nigerians with the type of economic system government is operating. In all we are aware of, that in all systems, capitalist, socialist, monarchy, theocracy, military e.t.c such governments are dedicated and concerned with providing the necessary mechanism that will afford their citizens a life full of opportunities, as they invest heavily in agriculture, education , health and deal decisively with all issues of corruption.
Been a subservient nation through accepting and implementing policies of foreign countries and their institutions will keep on retarding our development and inflicting more hardship on our people. Such policies have been in use under various names for years but they have not changed the lot of Nigerian people. Our governments have to look inward to formulate economic policies that will tally with our way of life.
Corruption, which is the core impediment to our growth and development, has to be tackled aggressively under a willed and purposeful leadership. Until corruption is fought to a standstill , those politicians that have pillage and plunder treasuries under their trust and are freely moving about enjoying and partying their loot, and even scheming for higher political offices will be emulated by would-be occupiers of elective offices and public office holders.
Nigerian leaders have to work extra hard to win back the confidence of the Nigerian people that democratic governance is all about service to the people not service to themselves. That the real dividends of democracy should be felt by all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, region political differences and social status through enabling the atmosphere to be condusive such that all can eat three times a day, can obtain employment without having any connections , can be attended to in hospitals and provided with drugs, that salaries are enough and Nigerians can now start having the habit of life saving, that all Nigerians can move freely without fear of criminals e.t.c . Until some of these and others are within reach to the Nigerian people that the real dividends of democracy will be elusive.
President Umaru Musa Yar’adua‘s government should add gear and redouble its efforts in implementing its seven point agenda which in theory centres around the basic necessities of the Nigerian people. As far as he accepts to be the Nigerian President, the Nigerian people will continue to demand for what is supposed to be given to them especially his campaign promises which undertook to place Nigeria among developed economies by the year 2020. And if he err or foot drag, the Nigerian people will not be silent to demand for what is supposed to be done.
The march to the land of dividends of democracy will be long unless and until there are free and fair elections where their votes count and the leadership is willful, firmed , purposeful and dedicated in sincerely and honestly leading the nation to greatness . A nation that corruption is dealt with as capital offence, then only can the Nigerian people truely feel the impact of dividends of democracy.
Yoursfaithfully,
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
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