The Reality Of Nigeria's 'Subverted Democracy'

Photo : Uche Okeke
Today we have all woken to the reality of the state our democracy. The picture that is emerging is never going to be a good fit for proper nation building. We are now witnessing a pseudo system that mocks what we were told is a normal "democratic political order"; endless controversies of political manipulations to serve the interests of the few.

The National Bureau of Statistics says the country's  Gross Domestic Product remains in constant decline. The government says the country's economic recession is over, but how that reflects on the lives of ordinary people is what only the government will provide the answer.

The truth is that instead of fighting the battles for the future, our government is only interested in yesterday's battle with little or no results as outcome.  The country is gradually walking on a dangerous path eroding the little democratic gains it has managed to build in the past, due to personal ambitions and vested interests.

The country is confronted with the highest infrastructural deficit for an oil economy and a booming population, the highest unemployment rate in history, etc. I learnt the transport minister says he needs $36billion dollars to fix railway projects whereas the country is just seeking for $5.5billion dollar  in external loans. This definitely will not add up, so the government is not positioned to deliver.

In few years time most countries in Europe and America will banish petrol and diesel cars, the problem of automation looms large,climate change, education, healthcare,etc. I think these are some of  the social issues that should occupy the leadership not unnecessary controversies that may not add to national growth.

 There is this issue of restructuring, also the forgotten issue of Ken Nnamani election reforms, etc. A good government should intensify efforts on reforms that will help strengthen existing institutions, guaranteeing inclusiveness. In few months time, the life of this government will come to an end, the achievement so far is our collective guess, perhaps the next election.

 According to Nick Glegg, Former, UK Deputy Prime Minister; "Democracy can only be defended if we first understand how it is being attacked".

Keeping the nation standstill is 19th century idea that will take the country to nowhere. It's more embarrassing when young people whose future is endangered become leading online voices lending blind support to the very system that denies them a better future.

 The truth is that even authoritarian leaders can listen if there is a collective pressure, however, ignorance and sycophancy become the only obstacle to challenging the status-quo. Nigeria's corruption involves everybody, and we are now witnesses to the dept of  involvement of some members of the current government, despite conspiracy theories.

I read a newspaper report about a high court judge inviting ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to court. what that means is only for the government to provide the answer, since the law is only for some citizens.

In the words of A.C. Grayling: " Subverted democracy, in short is no democracy. A political order which is meant to translate democratic preferences into sound government; but where the preferences have been manipulated and the government is operated in the interests of only some part of the populace, is not a democratic political order".[Democracy and Its Crisis, P.202]

2019 is another opportunity to invest in our collective future by making the right choices that will that help position us to where the rest of the world is heading to; a new world devoid of tyranny.

Uche Okeke