Democracy, Political and Civic Participation; Perspectives on Nigeria.

Written By Chinedu .J. Isagbah

It has been 23  years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria(1999-date); many Nigerians are not entirely sure of any dividends from this uninterrupted democracy, rather they are sure that the past 23 years have had epileptic and very much interrupted Power supply, a significant decline in the standard of living, and an unprecedented increase in the level of insecurity in all geopolitical zones, an upscale in Grand corruption alongside the recycling of Public officials(Elected and Appointed) clothed with immense impunity, unchecked rascality and ultimately birthing a pseudo-democracy.

That was probably a harsh opening paragraph, but it is no exaggeration by any standard of the current realities of the Nigerian State.  Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States defines Democracy as “A Government for, of and by the people”.  Government for the people in a country where the cost of governance is extremely high, majority of her citizens live below one dollar a day, going from the annual ASUU strike to the biannual Resident doctors strike to the deplorable state of the economy and key sectors such as Education, Health and Infrastructure. It would be a misnomer to declare a government for the people as the true reflection of the Nigerian situation.

A Government  of the people presupposes that the key interests of Government would be to achieve the Hopes and aspirations of Citizens, first in Listening to the People by creating platforms for Public-Private  sector discussions, Town Halls and engaging the people(especially youths) directly, indicators that are sadly non-existent or impotent.

A Government of the people points towards people based policies and Schemes that activates innovation, alleviates poverty and creates jobs whilst creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive; especially when the Nation has a largely Young population. We certainly haven’t  fared well on this point either.

A Government by the People- The people ought to be involved in the daily management of their commonwealth alongside demanding accountability on the part of  chosen Managers of our commonwealth. The Elected must be reminded as often as possible that real power resides with the Electorate. Although the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Authority has been delegated by the people through the Constitution to these Public officials, they remain accountable to the people as Trustees not owners. It is an open secret, that accountability and open  governance is not quite the favourite pastime of the Political Elite in Nigeria and as a consequence the seats of power have become a Savings account and retirement home  for the corrupt, greedy and power drunk. This comfort has made it easy for them to survive in affluence whilst the people languish helplessly in the midst of wealth. In Nigerian Pidgin,” I dey river and soap dey enta my eyes”.This retirement home is a coven they are willing to protect with their lives and every weapon in their arsenal including violence. This strategy is to the end that the dividends of democracy are distributed amongst the most ruthless elite, ensuring that those who are capable and willing to work for all never attain political power . Since 1999, Political Power has so far exchanged hands mainly between two political parties at the highest levels of Government, unashamedly chanting their entitlement to remain in power as of right. These recycled politicians have treated Youth and issues concerning young people with disdain and disinterest, a perfect example would be the outcome of the ENDSARS protests in 2020 that led to the unnecessary deaths of patriotic youths.

What is a Nation without her People or a People without a National identity?

Young People in Nigeria have however chosen not to remain on the sidelines as the Future of Nigeria is discussed. Young people are actively engaged in the civic space, galvanising support for  “youthcentric”  policies and programs,  outrightly condemning the unconstitutional activities of Governments at all levels and the illegal distribution  of our commonwealth by a criminal few.

Young People are insisting that their voices will no longer be silenced. More Youth candidates, many more Youth activists and pro democracy fighters have gracefully emerged from the ashes of a Nigeria for the few to birth a Nigeria for the many, indeed a Nigeria for all.

The clamour for an immediate deviation from this pseudo-democracy to a concrete Nation-State where people, businesses and communities can thrive regardless of age, circumstances of birth, tribe, religion and geographical location has never been more prominent. The Nigerian Youth is no longer gullible, no longer for sale and can no longer be intimidated by these kleptomaniac politicians and Ambassadors of poverty. Our Voices matter, our Lives matter.

WE ARE AWAKE!!!

This article is an Excerpt from the report ” A Nigeria For The Many And Not The Few”

About the Author

Chinedu .J. Isagbah, a Lagos based Lawyer and Governance professional  is an unrepentant believer in the project called Nigeria. Chinedu is the Founder of the Greater Nigeria Initiative and a Community Change Enabler at Citizen Commons Advocacy International. Chinedu has worked with young people and youth initiatives for over 7 years and remains passionate about Young people in the civic space.