When the Fourth Republic berthed on 29 May, 1999, Nigerians erupted in joyous noise anticipating the dawn of a better future. But now, 14 years after, how far have the dreams come to reality? How much of the dividends of democracy have the people harvested. In all, how well has the nation fared? Nigerians react.
The road to Nigeria's Fourth Republic was actually not a smooth one; neither can it be described as one well channelled and structured. It was one long, thorny, winding road, slimy and uneven. Many who began the long tortuous trek never reached the desired destination.
They fell on the way. Some became wiser after spending unending days in the junta's gulag. Harassment, intimidation and even death either through bullets or bomb blasts were lot of others. A lot also fled to other lands, abandoning kith and kin; when they felt death and incarceration starring them in the face.
They took solace in the maxim: He who fights and run away; lives to fight another day. But against all odds, the baton of leadership was handed over to Chief Olusegun Okikiola Obasanjo, a one-time military head of state who had just been released from jail and granted pardon. It was on 29 May, 1999. The Fourth Republic was born and the nation rejoiced. Hopes were high and expectations rife.
For some time, all seemed to be well; many aggrieved parties seemed assuaged of their grievances. The Yoruba race especially felt the death of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, adjudged the freest and fairest in the annals of the nation's history, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, had been assuaged. Abiola died in detention. Other ethnic groups too felt that power had actually shifted from its traditional base. For this, they were happy.
Many a Nigerian felt a deep sense of belonging. But 14 years down the lane and three presidents after, the euphoria has ended and with the cold reality of the day and time, most Nigerians are now beginning to have a rethink; wondering if the struggle for democracy was actually worth the cost after all. As the nation marked the 14th anniversary of the return to civil rule, the enthusiasm and zeal that characterised the take-off have waned. Also, comments from stakeholders are not really encouraging.
Fighters who were in the trenches as long as the struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Africa's most populous country lasted are devastated. Is this actually the democracy they staked all for? Is this what they lost friends and kin for? If they had had the benefit of hindsight, would they have embarked on the struggle?
What of the masses: have their dreams been brought to reality? All round, the responses speak volumes of pain, disappointment, disillusionment and disenchantment.
National Mirror
I must confess there is nothing to celebrate cos everything is messed up right about now. Things have to change before we celebrate.