Black democracy and the tragedy of non compliance
Okey Ezeala, Umuahia.
In every system of government – be it a monarchy, military or modern democracy, one common denominator of public policy and finance is the overriding interest of the people in that given economy. Nigerians unfortunately have not been so lucky from the naive days of our political independence till this era of republican population across West Africa and beyond.
It is not clear whether the proponents of Nigeria’s independence from the British rule were mentally and politically aware of the far reaching implications of their struggle for self-rule, especially in the face of mutual mistrust and palpable fear of ethnic domination among the supposed minority tribes of Nigeria, but the reality of a multi-tasking leadership of a dynamic society has continued to stare ridiculously on the face of our leaders in both khakhi and agbada for the past 64years with little or nothing to show for the once overrated independence.
Perhaps our roads would’ve been better if the British rule continued till 21st century.
Perhaps our public institutions (if still under British management) would’ve been top-notch and a leading example in Africa and third world economies.
Perhaps our public infrastructures would’ve been better managed and all cities and communities wouldn’t lack pipe borne water by now etc.
Perhaps a better food and security of live and property etc. if we were not in a hurry to start what we lack the capacity to finish. But then, Nigeria has had to survive her leaders learning on the job over the years, even as the attendant economic and mental toll on the psyche of an average Nigerian citizen is largely a topic for another day. However, it’s not over yet until we can beat our chest in earnest and be proud of the 1st October event of 1960; reminiscing the gains, challenges and regrets of the several military interregnums, the aborted democratic republics and the enduring transition to civil rule in May 1999.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (though a product of the same system) has a golden opportunity to redeem the almost lost public hope and confidence in the Nigerian democracy. This can only be possible with the spirit of One Nigeria in formulation and implementation of state policies, appointments and equitable public infrastructures financing. Just this alone will endear him more to the hearts of the masses for posterity.
Yes we had maxim hopes and real expectations for a greater Nigeria under democracy, but the public experience in the last 24years has put the idea of democracy in trial, forcing some public opinion to venerate the supposed Tyranny of the barracks boys regrettably, because we now know better.
Democracy however, is unarguably the most fitted system of government for a civilized society, but the tragedy of noncompliance with the basic principles of democracy makes non-sense of the theory in a third world economy like Nigeria. A democracy where the wishes of the vast majority of the people is subject to one man decision cannot be ideal for a 21st century society; this is the case in Nigeria where the people’s right to vote and be represented is determined by a court exparte order instead of the polls results.
What about the governance strategy? It’s rare for the presidency in Nigeria to conduct public opinion polls to determine the overriding needs of the people before preparing national budget, same error at the States and of course the defunct local government system. These trend of misplaced priorities accounts for the multiple uncompleted elephant projects abandoned across the length and breadth of Nigeria, while the completed ones are left with little or no maintenance to rot.
A 64year old country with a 24year old democracy cannot be nascent in all ramifications; therefore Nigerians should sit up and embrace the daring challenge of growing the economy to improve the living standards and not just the GDP growth index. Building a nation is certainly not a parallel duty of State actors, the private sector and civil society is a major factor in every economic performance globally. Until we understand the need for this symbiotic relationship with the government, the poor masses will always react to the market forces of the “black market” Democracy we practice in Nigeria.
Chief Okey Ezeala, Public Policy Consultant, Analyst and Author is based in Umuahia, Abia State
