Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable. What Can Be Done About It : The Way Things Are.

"The status-quo does not hold any further promise of change as the events of more than five-decades have proved . Poverty is man made and can be eradicated. Dysfunctional Political Structure, Bogus Government, Mass Poverty"-Uche Okeke.

I have written this as a Social Entrepreneur. Social Entrepreneurs are always looking for innovative ways to benefit the 'bottom billion', especially with new information as information is power. We cannot solve our collective problems unless we get our politics right. Everything depends on politics. This book is a kind of Analysis of Social and Political issues confronting today's Nigeria, especially the impact of the current political structure which legitimises autocratic tyranny.
 Read More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria

 "Nigeria is Africa's most populous and second richest country. Rich in oil; but the riches that oil brings have not translated into meaningful development"-Lydia PolGreen [Africa's Crisis of Democracy, The New York Times , April 23 2007]. In her words: a survey by Afrobarometer shows that "Nigerians did not believe elections would allow them to remove objectionable leaders"
We have argued that Failing democracy in Nigeria is due to a number of causes all deliberate, avoidable. For the world's best political system to achieve its purpose in Nigeria: 'Life, Liberty and the right to pursuit of happiness', it has to be 'properly and transparently' be applied.

Note:  The Rule of the Game:
 "Governments are instituted among men to secure the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...Political institutions are human constructs that should be fashioned consciously to meet the needs of society"- Thomas Jefferson.
This rule also specified what will happen if it's not properly and transparently applied- 'Sanctions':
"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness"-[The End of Poverty. How We Can Make It Happen In Our Lifetime- Professor Jeffrey Sachs Forward By Bono].
Can this happen in Nigeria?. There are a number of reasons why it's not happening, all deliberate, avoidable. We have chosen to focus on this two main causes. We will expand it later.

1)The Peril Of Destructive Passion: 'Might Is Right'
-Broken Morals(Selfish Views, Material Interests, Religious Piety, Seeking Domination, etc.)
-Authoritarianism(Autocratic tyranny, Coups, etc)- Absolutism
-Deplorable Resistance to Modernity('Prisoner of tradition', etc.)
2)'Mistake Of Destiny': 'Invitation of Strongman'-
'How Did We Get Into This Mess?'-Georgre Monbiot
-Election of anti-democratic elements, Divine Rights, Prisoner of tradition, etc.
(manipulating people with fear, fake news, bribe, fraudlent elections, identity politics, etc.)
Others: The Five Giants
-The Giant of Ignorance, The Giant of Poverty, etc.

Today Questions arise about the system- The political behaviour of the state , actors, and its policies that contribute to the declining conditions of human life. What is happening to our democracy?  How do we fix it? "Is there anything more to it than 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?". We are one Nigeria, are we compatible? What are our values?. Why semi-illiterates are governing us?- Nwabueze. 'Should we/can we turn the clock back? What do we do in the future?'- Stephen Green. Why is failing Democracy a huge concern to the International community? What is the alternative?

Social change needs new thinking. Education is the key."to court the same problem twice does not look like a winning strategy"-Anne McElvoy, Senior Editor at The Economist. "We cannot fix the fractures of our world without multi-stakeholder collaboration"-WEF.
"Don't ask yourself what the world  needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who come alive"-[The Reluctant Innovator; Ken Banks- SSIR].

What Can Be Done About It: The Golden Age : Education- Enlightenment. Restructuring.

Education is the only solution to the dilemma of democracy all the phiolosophers say so.
-Restructuring/Reform(Constitutional Change) of the current political structure(We will list the full benefits),  Proportional/ Equal Representation, Independent Institutions, Better Educated and Credible Leadership, well-equipped to rule, especially civilians as it's proven that they are better in the art of management and civility.
This needs active civil society -Education, collaboration and A People's Will Power.
Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/03/nigerias-democracy-and-its-crisis_10.html
We must reject Authoritarian Rule, Political Bribery, Reject Cattle Colony as the borders of the Herdsmen is very bloody, moreso, the restructuring of the current political structure will empower the states to seek for innovative ways to help grow indigenous cattle business instead of the national safety and security risks. There is no need to extend the cattle business in every state in Nigeria, except if there is more to it.
- Restructuring
- New Leadership:
-Civic Education:
Citizen education- citizens for society; moral instruction to server minds from selfish views and material interests; "to replace a vanishing religious piety by a kind of social piety"-Durkheim. This civic education should be established at all levels of education-Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions.
-Citizen Engagement Education:
-Collaboration: Education-[Government. Civil Society. Business]
-Global Partnership
Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/02/today-nigeria-is-not-democratic-country_26.html


Lessons  Best Learned:

 The destructive passion of some elements in the society using 'direct subordination-17th and 18th centuries ideology to bring the society to its knees; 'the rule of the strongest'. The situation has become a 'prisoner of tradition'-complete control over people and things and anything new is feared.
The current political structure is now unable to satisfy new demands and exposes us to great danger. It needs adaptation to changing needs and ideas. Contineuos dependence on the centre is endless stagnation and crisis.
Restructuring is the 'primary condition' for inclusiveness in Nigeria. This needs 'a people's will power'. Education is the key to open people's minds. The people that did these things are now in the process of quietly dying a natural death leaving us in crisis.
Instead of limiting the states to their locality, they should remain 'distinct and autonomous' to enable them diversify economically to achieve growth. Economic life would thus be achieved without losing diversity.
Restructuring of the current political structure will help preserve the union and make it stronger and prosperous. All the societies that have done this are stronger, successful and prosperous.

 Read this blog regularly as we continue to dig deeper to keep you properly informed so that you can be on the right side of history. There are increasing doubts if the votes will count, however ensure you register to vote. We learnt to remove a dictator always result to violence. In the words of Andrew Marr, "the last time it was tried in Rome, it caused civil war', so lets keep our fingers crossed.
Read More: www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/02/fraudlent-election-produce-fraudlent.html
 I have also written this story as a social fiction using the beautiful game of football:
The Brown Envelope And The Bullet Who Cares?: How the thug business destroyed the world's most beautiful game-football in Nigeria.
 Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/02/the-truth-of-matter-how-thug-business.html

Violence in Nigeria is development in reverse, a threat to its neighbours, global peace and stability- Migration, Refugee crisis, HIV/AIDS, Economy, Security, etc. According to the United States Secretary of State; Mr Rex Tillerson: "Nigeria  is a major priority focus as the country would be the third most populous country in the world by 2050".
He said the US is interested in Africa as the continent has "really very complex Political issues, Ethnic issues, Tribal issues and Security issues".-[US Interested in Nigeria's 2019 Election- Secretary Tillerson, Sahara Reporters, March 5 2018].
Today's technology has the potentials to help make change possible so lets embrace it for good  instead of in the words of Susannah Butler; making it a ''hostile place where anyone expressing an opinion that diverges from the accepted norm is shot down and attacked".
Together we can help make CHANGE Happen.
 Read More: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/03/nigerias-democracy-and-its-crisis_93.html

Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur. He's the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation- [The Voice Of The Poor]