Re: For democracy in Africa

[Punch]

As always, Minabere Ibelema's column in the Sunday PUNCH is very educative.

However, within the context of our own dear country Nigeria, I cannot agree that the correct definition of democracy, is, "a government of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Our politicians espouse democracy, yet obstruct the application of its universally accepted principles.

In a true democracy, the people always win because, as enshrined in the constitution, "the security and welfare of the people are the primary purpose of government."

However, it is the negation of this and other principles of democracy that opens the gate of hell.

Even in your article, you recalled how contemptuous OBJ was of democracy, when he bound his soul with an oath that Atiku Abubakar would become president only over his dead body.

This oath was taken by OBJ in total disregard of what the people's choice might be at the time. Was that democracy in practice?

Basic amenities like electricity, water, good roads, employment, and security of life and property that ought to be taken for granted as dividends of democracy are virtually non-existent in Nigeria. The majority of Nigerians barely exist; and those that cannot live honourably take to crime.

The late music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was right when dissecting our democracy. He sang that a few are fat with big bellies, while the rest are hungry.

It is good to learn that President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the outcome of the recent election in Senegal. But it is doubtful whether his party will allow that sort of transition in Nigeria.

Let our leaders know that if the generality of the people whom they lead are not happy, they (the leaders) are dictators and not democrats; and if dictators, then they lack the moral justification to intrude in the domestic affairs of other nations.

Nigerian leaders' charity should begin at home and not abroad.

For now, democracy in Nigeria, for me, is not more than a government of the fraudulent few, by the fraudulent few, and for the overall benefit of the fraudulent few.

Godwin Macaulay,

gefmac2002@yahoo.com



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