By Timothy Ojo.
June 12, of every year is the day set aside to celebrate the day when Nigerians finally said yes to democracy. On that day in 1993, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for the late Bashorun MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, against the National Republican Congress, NRC, candidate Bashir Tofa.
But the election was annulled by the military junta led by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and Nigerians went on the streets protesting and made the country ungovernable for years. Thousands were mauled down by the military but Nigerians’ voice defied the sounds of bullets until 1999 when another election was held.
The Crest met with Nigerians, some of which were born in 1993 who are now big professionals from different fields to share what they think democracy has been since its full inception in the system. Their responses will shock you!
Hear them..
Aishat Saidu, Legal Practitioner
For years the country has not operated by Democracy but by the interests of parties, cabals and godfathers. I still have hope that one day Nigeria will be an actual and genuine Democratic Republic with a chance to vote for actual worthy candidates.
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Komolafe Zaynab Adeboyin
Civil servant.
I think Nigeria is not ready for true democracy yet, 27 years after the June 12 election. Democracy in this country is best explained as authoritarianism as the essence and purpose of democracy has been defeated!
Here, the people’s interests are not prioritized, only the elites stand a chance, the government only care about themselves, they don’t care what happens to the people, they are selfish and don’t want to be accountable for the main reasons they have been voted into office.
Abiola Abimbola
Medical Practitioner
I really don’t think there is any such thing as a true state of democracy in Nigeria.
Many of our youths including me, have voter’s card but won’t vote but we will join them and complain about the mess that is our government.
Democracy should be for the people and by the people. Elections for different posts come and go and we take little part in the “by the people” part. Our government has taken full pride in making things work for only themselves and their own. Many Nigerians can’t afford basic needs especially now during a pandemic.
Ajoke David
Fashion Entrepreneur
As the name implies, we get to choose our leaders and they are expected to represent us and look out for the wellbeing of the state but the reverse is the case as it’s obvious that we haven’t been represented well enough.
The government finds it difficult to address issues eating into the heart of the nation..
Elections are rigged, so it’s not a thing of the majority it’s almost looking like a monarchical system of government because some are of the opinion that the seat of the president belongs to their tribe.”
Abisola Olapo
Customer Service Expert
Well…I don’t even think Nigeria is a democratic state. We think we are but except the definition of democracy is wrong, we are definitely not a democratic state.
However, because we think we run a democratic state, I’d say we are in deep shit for lack of better expression. We weren’t ready for democracy, we still aren’t ready.
We are way too selfish to appreciate the good democracy has to offer.
Ridwan Balogun,
Journalist.
“Democracy is a people-oriented system of government. It is for the people and when the people are not directly benefiting from its dividends, its beauty, and impact become questionable.
Nigeria has been in a democratic government for 21 years now. Other than a level of freedom to the people, the real dividends of democracy have been a dream to an average Nigerian.
The resources are still narrowly distributed; poverty is very rife in a nation richly blessed with natural and Human Resources. Successive governments have flattered to deceive and the beauty of democracy seen in other countries is still a pipe dream to Nigerians as a people.
The promise of greatness is extinguishing by the day, and it is not unconnected with the corruption and imbalanced governance that have beleaguered the nation.
While the pain of the failure of true democratic feel can always be pointed to that unfortunate denial of June 12, 1993, it is 27 years since that day, and our biggest problems have been the people leading us from the front.
Democracy is still the way forward. We have seen nations rise on democratic balance, and have grown astoundingly practicing it. For us, it is still a struggle, it is far from what we want and the average Nigerian, the lowest on the log, and the poorest of the poor don’t have a feel of the true impact of democracy.
Temitope Julius
Financial Consultant
“Democracy in Nigeria is messed up. This is so sad and pathetic. Only God can save us.
Joseph Oladokun, Data Scientist
No matter how democratic a country is, if the leaders are bad, it won’t work. Although democracy allows the people to choose their leaders; in a country like Nigeria where nepotism overrides competency, democracy is doom to fail.
Stephen Olorunyomi
Aquaculture Consultant
We are celebrating democracy in Nigeria today, it saddens my heart that democracy in my country has not evolved. It has just been an avenue for politicians to get richer via looting of public funds. We are not taking informed decisions whereby generations to come will benefit from them, we are faced with myriads of challenges.
The youth need to stand up to participate in politics, over the past 21 years we have been electing past leaders into office, this is ridiculous, we need to wake up.
Nwakaego Nzeteh, Quantity Surveyor
I think that democracy in Nigeria hasn’t represented the Nigerian people well enough. The definition of democracy as government for the people, of the people and by the people still looks like an academic definition with very little iota of practicality. So far, many Nigerians have felt that their interests are not well represented.
I believe that we can’t lose hope yet. We need to keep hope alive because it’s the energy that we would need to get to our desired destination as a country.
Anusie C.N
Aquaculture Consultant
We have a growing Democracy in Nigeria, however we need to really work on an inclusive government. I believe we can do more as a people. We should be more concerned with electing people with good motives and pedigree that can drive change.
Our electoral system needs to be reformed, youths should be encouraged to go for public offices without technically franchising them with the huge financial resources to obtain forms, etc
Present public offices need to actually give youths a platform to get experience in politics via political appointments at state and federal levels and this should be done without any form of Nepotism because Nigeria is multi diverse and multicultural and as such political offices should not favour any particular region.
Faruq Ibrahim, Biochemist
Democracy in this part of the world is a deep shade of oligarchy, with factions of a few spread across each regions with control of the affairs of the people, with power regurgitated amongst their peers.
Joseph Oladokun, Data Scientist
We really need to sit up and this goes to the masses that sell their votes
because of money or various forms of nepotism and so forth.
If Nigeria must progress in all fronts, we must love ourselves as one and choose credible leaders.
The youth need to stand up to participate in politics, over the past 21 years we have been electing past leaders into office, this is ridiculous, we need to wake up.
Osaskoto, IT Professional
I think Nigeria can be doing a whole lot better as a democratic nation. We are too far behind from where we should be.