Political corruption is one of Nigeria’s besetting ills, and there has been plenty of it in the so-called democracy, but of course it is not our collective responsibility to care. There are other important things to do—goals to reach, dreams to dream of and daily battles to conquer. In that light, kissing democracy goodbye is unavoidably right? False!
It is up to the new leadership in 2015 to show us ‘true’ democracy. The task of cleaning would not be easy but can be done. That new leadership must reject the idea of getting votes by appealing to religious sectarianism, tribalistic jingoism, and petty thuggery.
All parties must desist from bribing and corrupting the supporters and achieve results by the ballot box. They must show that Nigeria is not in the grip of any new imperium. A definition of Nigerian democracy must be created.
For a nation of one-eighty million to make any kind of sense of democracy, it must base itself firmly on the concept of multiplicity, of plurality and tolerance, of devolution and decentralization wherever possible. There can be no one way—religious or cultural—of being a Nigerian; let difference reign. That is democracy.
But alas, the romantic relationship between certain individuals and the seat of power would be the reverse of Jack Dawson’s love for Rose Dewitt Buktaker on the RMS Titanic ship. Rose must die for Jack to live. In other words, Nigeria must die for them to remain in power.
Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. 1966? Nigeria, a delicate child of fifty-four, has not really enjoyed the benefits of democracy. If anything, she has only shared some shards of the scattered definitions of freedom.
There are deep uncertainties about where the country is heading. With events springing up like thorns one may conclude that the kiss is everlasting. Issues: defection of PDP members to APC; Suntai denies rumoured resignation; boko haram; homosexuality and human rights, etcetera, is Nigeria.
It’s easy to say that the new administration, should, and in all likelihood will, attempt to simply change the societal ills; that would be a tricky conclusion. The social malaise is gargantuan. And, the question lingers: who/what is the new administration?
Our knowledge of Mr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is of an inexperienced leader. Add his team and you have a gathering of languorous elements running the engines of an unstable regime. What next?
It’s only a matter of months before we can stop this progressive lunacy. What must be done? It is simple: choose the right devil. All politicians are devilishly-good or devilishly-evil.
Many, with good reason, are extremely nervous about the outcome of the approaching general election. Sabre-rattling individuals want GEJ to remain and in other factions, another individual is preferred. The general populace want a human being in power.
Calling Nigeria a democratic state, to many observers, is absurd. At any rate, the question remains: if the situation of Nigeria continues to deteriorate, will the people be bold enough to turn against the ruling class? What happened after Occupy Nigeria?
Two clichés about Nigeria must be dismissed. First, the probability of a military coup is possible. Second, the idea of a united, democratic, secular Nigeria is attainable under this leadership.
For the moment, however, all of us who are Nigerian by citizenship, or birth, or race, must accept that we are gradually kissing our democracy goodbye. It would be a shame on us all if we let it slide out of our hands.
We must find the strength to act with honour in the months to come. To struggle to retain this freedom before us and to ensure, by any means necessary, that we choose that individual who would lead us, devilishly, into a heaven where we can begin to craft new ideas, reach new heights and burst into new dynasties.
Our stories must not be left in the hands of an unscrupulous few. We have the right to re-shape the plots of our lives and re-define it. Let’s start today.
God bless Nigeria.
moshoke@yahoo.com
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