WITHOUT an iota of doubt, democracy with a humble beginning dating back to ancient Greek society, remains the best form of government. More so, with our ugly experience as a nation, which had arisen beneath the jackboots of military interventionists in politics, to collectively achieve …1999, which we celebrate today!
Indeed, June 12, 1993 and May 29, 1999 are intertwined, as the struggle triggered by the former led to the eventual realization of the latter, signifying that in a democracy, a nation will strive, stumble but is bound to thrive.
Little wonder, the decision to celebrate Democracy Day on every June 12 was received with national applause and acknowledged by the family of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola as a happy ending in their long search for much needed historic justice.
Sadly, the country had stumbled far more under incessant military incursions, the end result of which was the annulment of that election, won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. Today, June 12, simply put,is more than just a calendar date but etched in a nation’s memory, with a commemoration that future generations will inquire about and get the proudest of answers.
But to make the most of it, the nation need not continue to struggle, having come thus far in her political destiny, with 25 years of unbroken civil rule. This can only happen if the country’s democracy is made to truly become what one of America’s greatest presidents of all-time, Abraham Lincoln, described as “the government of the people, by the people and for the people”.
When this happens, the beauty in the democratic process will justify the means, notably the battles of Nigeria’s founding fathers who bonded across ethnic and religious lines to build a nation, truly great and evidently prosperous.
Today, with the country’s return to a democratic dispensation, the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 dream has been put to bed. But many may wish to ask and a pertinent question at that, which is “has the country really enjoyed the dividends of the June 12 struggle, notably via the rebirth of democracy in 1999?
There is an answer but not a one-fits-all response, for in every democracy, there are gains and pains, but the former always outweighs the latter.Yet, the citizens cannot overlook the hardships, economic strangulation and impoverishment that rings a bell in the doorposts of Nigerians; no one is at peace as one national challenge or the other rear their ugly heads and the clock ticks with more unfolding uncertainties.
There is no denying the fact that at one time or the other, especially in recent times, many citizens have been forced to ask, ‘is this the democracy they promised us?’, without regular electricity, motorable roads and adequate infrastructure, education and health, programmes and policies that will lift the people from poverty. Yet, sycophancy was the order of the day as failed leaders were celebrated. Yes, insecurity is waxing stronger, banditry, herdsmen attacks , unknown gunmen and humongous national debts, amidst protestations for a national redemption.
However, the fact remains that without democracy, the citizens will not have any chance whatsoever to aspire to serve their country and by so doing, get the chance to provide workable solutions that would reset the nation’s fortunes.
Today, there are exemplary leaders in both the executive and legislative arms of government whose lofty agenda for their people is a direct reflection of the social contract entered with the electorate in the exercise of democratic ethos.
When on May 29,1999, the military junta led by the country’s last military ruler, then Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar made good its promise to hand over power to a democratically elected government, quite a good number of Nigerian youths experienced a sense of renewed vision, that today, many of them are part of the actualization of the dream for a peaceful and prosperous future.
After the very colourful event at Eagle Square, Abuja on May 29, 1999 where the PDP-led government took over the reins of power from the military, the experience is far from comparable to the executive arrogance and impunity that defined the old order typifying several years of military rule.
For instance, there was the unexplained election annulment, which is why the late MKO Abiola has been described as an iconic symbol of our democracy and a people’s president we never had. A man of great dreams for his country, one endowed generously with both human and material resources, there were high expectations that the country would achieve greatness in no distant time.
That was not to be, but better late than never!Democracy should be redirected to benefit the people. The citizens need to become more politically aware and see the national project as a collective responsibility.
It is highly necessary to realize that when we fail to plan for our successes as a nation, we plan to fail ultimately. Then what will become of the struggles of our founding fathers and true democrats of MKO Abiola’s mould?
