The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pathway

  • Pathway for new Nigeria

    The author’s English language usage is simple and precise. His tone is mild and yet blunt. The author in his introduction of the book, Nigeria On The Precipice: Issues, Options and Solutions. Lessons For Emerging Heterogeneous Democratic Societies stated that Nigeria, being a multi ethnic society, makes it a sociological complex society. This, he said, is why there are unflinching loyalty and primordial affinity to people’s respective roots and cultural values. He said despite Nigerians’ struggle to live harmoniously from all fronts, yet, its cultural differences constitute a major challenge to national harmony and peaceful coexistence.

    Chapter One has three subtexts. Here, the author provided the context on the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 by Sir Lord Lugard. He noted that there is an expression of disappointment by the union as the ethnic and cultural differences were so compelling and couldn’t have worked.

    The book recorded that the British Colony made a huge mistake and suggested that colonial administrators should have looked deeply to understand the cultural differences and see if it could work before the 1914 amalgamation. Thus, they failed both in intelligence and capacity to know that Nigeria was not going to work due to the heterogeneous nature of the people. Simply put, Nigerian people were foisted on one another and there are incontrovertible facts that they are incompatible and are not able to live together peacefully. This is why after almost 60years of companionship the country remained divided along ethnic lines fuelled by primitive cultural background.

    On Constitutional development, he recalled when Nigeria emerged as a country and the development of various constitutions, which were designed to provide systems of government and ways of administration. During this period, the scope and structure of the systems of government were indeed, the reflection of the philosophy, ideology and personalities of those who were involved in the process. Part of the writer’s argument was that among the constitutions that have so far been fashioned for the country that none contained the antidote required to assuage the fears of the minorities or other linguistic groups perceived to be marginalised.

    The author concluded with the subtext Fears of the Founding Fathers.

    He also stated that leaders of the major political parties involved in constitutional conferences leading to the making of various constitutions had deep reservation about the manner in which the British colonial administrations bound the various ethnic nationalities together. He said this raised fears, provoking an atmosphere of skepticism about the Nigerian project to the extent that every move and utterance made by the founding fathers to one another were viewed with suspicion, particularly between the Northern leaders and their Southern counterparts.

    However, the fears of the founding fathers bordered mainly on the premise upon which the British founded the country. This brought about an attitude of frustration provoked by an inability to work on the same political page, hope for a united Nigeria gave way for despair, with related panic for the possible break-up of the country. Indeed, this general negative feeling amongst the founding fathers came from parochial interests induced by tribalism and religion, which posed serious threats to the unity of the country.

    Chapters Two focused on The Federal System as an acceptable social contact with subtext Federal System of Government in the First Republic. The author noted that the federal system of government was an acceptable social contract that worked in Nigeria. During this time, there was autonomy of the federating regions, thus neither the centre nor the region or states are inferior to one another. He remarked that if it was not for the coup of 1966 that brought in the military, which altered that system of government, Nigeria would have transformed and grown into an enviable polity on the African continent and even in the world.

    Here, the writer stated that the federal constitutional arrangement at the first republic tacitly encouraged each region to develop at its own capacity. He stipulated that the composition of federating regions was based almost on linguistic groupings. This provided a huge advantage due to assemblage of people with identical and similar behavioural patterns, attitudes, social values, and political beliefs, making it easier for them to live together under the same inclusive government compared to other circumstances. Also, the federating units had their own constitution, regional police and coat of arms. Their independent style of administration had a touch of peculiar needs incidental to their culture, values, and heritage.

    Chapter Two’s subtext Fiscal Federalism,  talked about how states in a federal system of government needs money and resource to meet their statutory obligation while Principle of Derivation talks about the allocation of natural resources on a percentage basis amongst various levels of government in a country.

    Chapter Three talked about The Unitary System as the origin of Nigeria’s endless dilemma and Transition from the Federal System to the Unitary System by the Military with a subtext Abrogation of the Principle of Derivation’ and ‘Resource Control.

    Chapter Four The Challenge of the Niger Delta People talked about oil as Nigeria’s foreign exchange earner, Oil as a source of revenue for the Government, Oil as a Burden on the Niger Delta, effects of oil on the Niger Delta soil and the 50 per cent derivation, or massive development of the Niger Delta region.

    Chapter Five explained the rise of agitation in Nigeria as well as the national question, injustice and insecurity. Number one of the agitations is Biafra as a symptom of discontent and militancy as a sign of frustration in the Niger Delta.

    Chapter Six Rescue Efforts and a subtext Failed Attempts at Resolution examined areas that federal government has tried to restructure the dysfunctional federation through policies and actions considered appropriate to make up for the gap and enable it work. In Impact of Nationhood the author observes that there is disconnect between Nigerians and its constitution.  It concluded this chapter with a subtext, observing that current developments in the country suggest the future is bleak under the flawed federalism.

    In Chapter Seven, the author asked where does Nigeria go from here as a country? He suggested that leaders should muster courage to face the truth by restructuring the country to operate a system of government based on true federalism. Otherwise, confederalism or break up should be explored.

     

  • Pathway to effective public service delivery

    The public service is an important institution anywhere in the world. It is the machinery that formulates and implements the decisions and policies of the government. To that extent, the success of any government in carrying out its statutory and constitutional responsibilities of maintaining law and order as well as engendering socio-economic and political development of any nation depends largely on the type of civil service which the country has. Thus, there is the likelihood of a government to meet the aspirations of the mass of the people over which it rules if the public service, which executes policies, is proactive, enlightened and incorruptible. Conversely, no government can achieve the modernization of the society if its public service is made up of mediocre and corrupt officers who divert the resources meant for the commonwealth to their private pockets.

    There is no doubt that the Nigerian public service has, over the years, contributed to the development of the country. Although the country has been characterized by political instability and socio-economic problems which have negatively rubbed off on all other institutions of the state, the principle of anonymity and non-partisanship of the civil service have largely empowered it to do justice to its statutory duties over the past decades. Much as military governments, which ruled this country for many years, dealt a devastating blow to the principle of security of tenure of public servants by subjecting public servants to premature retirement, many civil servants have continued to contribute their quotas to national development.

    To be sure, the overconcentration of power in the hands of some public servants by the military, as in the case of the era of “super perm-secs” and the prevalence of the culture of corruption in the country, in no small way impaired the role perception of these public servants. However, many of them lived above board. They performed and continue to perform their duties truthfully and conscientiously. In spite of the avarice, greed and the culture of primitive accumulation of wealth which reign supreme in the country, many of these public servants remain contented with their salaries. They have refused to join the pillaging of the national treasury. In the discharge of their official duties, they do not solicit for bribes. They treat all Nigerians they meet in the line of duty equally. It is this type of public servants who had no problem to go along with the practice of “Due Process” in civil service when former President Olusegun Obasanjo introduced it. It is also this set of civil servants who saw nothing bad in “mopping up” the treasury of ministries and government departments at the end of each year. The underlining factor behind their ability to adapt to the new rules of accountability, particularly the excellent financial control mechanisms introduced by the Federal Government since the civilian government of Obasanjo is their incorruptibility, their patriotic disposition and the abiding desire to maintain their honour and integrity in a country where honest men and women are in short supply.

    But for many, the ethics of their work have no meaning. And unfortunately, this group of erring public servants is in the majority. They have no conscience. They have no interest of the country at heart. Rather than play the role of agents of national development which they are statutorily meant to play, these public officials have, by their conduct over the years, sabotaged the efforts of successive governments to modernize Nigeria. Instead of faithfully executing the policies of government, they look for ways of cutting corners. Self-aggrandizement is uppermost in their mind. In order to cater for their interest, records are falsified with impunity, they embezzle public funds kept into their care, solicit and take bribes and are only concerned with what comes to their pockets rather than quality service delivery.

    The adverse effects of unethical behavior of some public servants cut across all the sectors of the society. For instance, most of the roads in Nigeria which are mere death traps are today in that sorry state as a result of corrupt activities of government officials. After taking kick backs, roads which are clearly sub-standard are approved as jobs well done. The diversion of patients from government hospitals to private hospitals is another dimension of the unpatriotic conduct of some public officials. Through this singular act, government has lost huge amount of revenue that would have contributed substantially to the provision of social amenities to the people. The relative ease with which the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of People and Goods is exploited by organized criminal groups to traffic human beings, firearms and hard drugs in Nigeria is a function of corrupt security agents who, for pecuniary gains, allow these traffickers to move freely within Nigeria and across the borders.

    The security challenges currently bedeviling Nigeria in the form of proliferation of militant groups across the country and terror attacks by Boko Haram are fuelled by the availability of arms and ammunitions which flow freely in the country as well as the widespread circulation of narcotics in the country, the proceeds of which are used to fund insurgency. The list of the negative effects of unethical behavior of some public servants in Nigeria is almost inexhaustible. It suffices, however, to say that the signature of corrupt behavior of some public servants in the country cut-across all the facets of the Nigerian society.

    In the light of the damaging consequences of this immoral behavior, what steps do we need to take in order to reap maximum benefits of a people-oriented public service and bring Nigeria to the pathway of steady national growth? First, government must holistically re-orientate the public service. The idea of reducing the workforce by way of sacking civil servants can only be counter-productive. For public servants to shun corrupt practices, their job security must be assured. Governments at all levels must enlighten their workers on the need to stick to work ethics and the advantages of having the interest of the country at heart while they discharge their duties.

    Secondly, the Civil Service Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau, SERVICOM, the Public Complaints Commission and other bodies that are statutorily charged to ensure ethical conduct and practices should be manned by people of integrity who are wholeheartedly committed to the task of uprooting moral decadence in the country. These agencies should be well funded, independent and supported by both public and private sectors in carrying out the onerous duty for bringing about the desired ethical renaissance across the Nigerian populace.

    Equally important is the need for the country’s judiciary to be truly independent and incorruptible. This important arm of government, which interprets law, should live above board in all its activities. As a deterrent to any judge with corrupt disposition, stiff sanctions should be spelt out for any proven manipulation of judgment. The judiciary should be the last hope of the common man. But in many cases, it is not so in Nigeria. The rich are often favoured at the expense of the poor. This has allowed criminals with the wherewithal or well-heeled godfathers to get away with their evil acts. No individual should be bigger than the law. In this case, the government must demonstrate the political will at all times to investigate and bring to justice the rich who are behind most of the crimes that have been perpetrated in this country.

    Last but not the least, government at all levels must take the welfare of public servants seriously. Salaries and allowances of workers must be paid as at when due. No matter may be the efforts of government on the orientation of its citizenry, particularly the workers, these efforts will count for nothing if their salaries are not paid regularly. This is so because no hungry worker will reject bribe. It is therefore imperative for government to put in place a long-term plan that will prevent its frequent inability to pay workers’ salaries regularly. No nation can experience developmental strides without the wholehearted commitment and loyalty of its workforce.

    • Bamigbetan is of the National Commisiion for Museums and Monuments, Owo, Ondo State.

  • AGIP on the pathway of ecocide

    If environmental sustainability is to be achieved in Nigeria there must be transparency and accountability especially in the oil and gas sector.

    Once more, we wish to draw the attention of the government and general public’s attention to the reckless oil extraction in the Niger Delta. The oil companies’ impunity and non-adherence to best practices over the years has ruined the Niger Delta environment. Since 1956 when oil extraction began, gas flaring and frequent oil spills have been the order of the day. Added to this is the tragic and frequent pipeline blowouts that occur almost on a daily basis from oil and gas operations.  A case in point is the recent Agip Azuzuama tragedy of July 2015 which claimed 14 lives while others sustained serious injuries. The environment was devastated and rural livelihoods destroyed.

    The Azuzuama incident stands out as a metaphor of oil incidents by oil companies like Agip operating in the region. Not only has the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) been implicated in the burning of oil spill sites in the past, fire outbreaks during repair works have been commonly associated with the company. The records of such frequency are well known to Agip and the regulators.

    Broadly, this press briefing sets out to address three main issues of ecocide, a call for probe of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) operations, and the need for remediation and adequate compensation for victims. It firmly adduces evidence and a case of ecocide against Agip.

    A Case of Ecocide

    Agip’s operation fields are crime sites tantamount to ecocide. As an environmental advocacy group that has been monitoring the environment for over two decades, we have observed a consistent trend of Agip’s pipeline explosions and death. Environmental destruction and needless death have continued to trail the company’s operations from 1995 to the present.

    Before we turn to the incident which claimed several lives in 2015, perhaps more pathetic is the Agip Ozochi tragedy which claimed at least 7 workers attempting to clear a major spill by a state of the art technology of spade and bucket.  The spill occurred in early June 1995 and eventually 7 persons were roasted while clearing oil spills using spade and bucket. When the spill occurred, Agip reacted by contacting DAEWOO, a contracting firm for the clean up. The firm in turn hired 20 unskilled labourers from Ozochi, Odua, and without any supervision from Agip or DAEWOO and without any training and proper clean up kits, they were mobilized to site on 25 June. As instructed, they dug pits into which they transferred the crude oil in order to set it ablaze later. During a short break at noon, one of the crew members decided to smoke a cigarette. He struck a match and the entire spillage site erupted in flames. 14 of the labourers were instantly trapped in the inferno, and 5 men died on the spot. The four unhurt labourers working about 100 metres away carried the injured to the nearest community 10 kilometres away and two of the injured later died in the community. The seven injured were later admitted at Ahoada General Hospital. This was in addition to destruction of the environment, farmlands and biodiversity.

    It will be interesting for Agip to tell the world its level of responsibility and liability and what preventive measures were taken. Was there any adequate clean up and compensation to the bereaved families these past years?

    On 13 May 2000, 6 youths died in a tragic incident which occurred in Etieama community in Nembe Local Government Area during a clamping operation on a ruptured section of Agip’s Brass-Ogoda pipeline. The incident is said to have been caused by spark from a machine used during the clamping.

    On Sunday, 29th July, 2012 a similar incident happened along Agip’s pipeline within Ayamabele/Kalaba community environment, in Okordia clan, Yenagoa LGA. 16 individuals were lucky to have escaped when a fire was ignited in the process of the clean up. They fled the scene of the fire eruption.

    Death by Fire: A Case of Agip’s Equipment Failure and Negligence

    On 9th July 2015 Agip’s facility exploded with massive fire along Tebidabe-Clough Creek pipeline at Azuzuama in Bassan Clan Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa state. The incident occurred during a Joint Investigation Visit to a damaged section. ERA Field Monitors discovered on site that:

    1. Agip’s Tebidabe-Clough Creek pipeline and explosion is clearly a case of negligence due to equipment failure while attempting to clamp a leaking oil pipeline by substandard and crude methods,
    2. The oil pipeline may have remained active and never shut down while repair effort was on-going thereby putting lives at risk and placing production as more important than safety of those working at the repair site,

    iii.       There was no ‘Fire Man’ or fire service personnel in the team who could have put off the fire while it was still little rather than the crude method of scooping mud filled petrol,

    1. Although the site was a difficult terrain and muddy, there were no precautionary measure or escape plan put in place in the event of fire.

    When the explosion and fire finally occurred as a result of scooping mud filled petrol to quench the building sparks of fire, 14 people were roasted alive instantly. They included a Nigerian soldier, an official of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, an official of the regional NOSDRA office, Agip staff and community youths. Till date, the full list is yet to be made public. Up till date, Agip is yet to respond officially and publicly on the incident.

     

     

    Although a few meetings have been held with family representatives of the deceased, nothing tangible has been done in terms of responsibility and liability. Agip’s insensitivity and delay is highly unacceptable.

    The following are the victims of the explosion whose death occurred on July 9th:   Mupe Afoh Anthony   (HSE-NAOC-Florina); Matthew Iyom      (CRV Supervisor –NAOC Crest); Godspower Okorosei (Vowgas Welder); Promise Kpora (Vowgas Pipe Fitter);        Michael Izeku (Vowgas Store Keeper); Longinus Dum         (Vowgas HSE);  Ositadinma Ugwu  (NOSDRA);           Theophilus Duabo               (BYSMENV);                 Amos Omereji      (Helper);                Undo John             (Vowgas Pegger);  Epunumokumo Linus (Community Man);   Corporal Audu Rikoto         (Vowgas Gunboat); Eze Akpojota    (Vowgas Swamp Buggie Mechanic); and another whose name is yet to be disclosed.

    That this trend is normal occurrence to oil companies particularly Agip has been shown in the cases presented. Doubtless, a clear pattern of ecocide and criminal liability has been observed in Agip’s operations in the Niger Delta. If a CEO of an oil company persistently takes decisions that consistently undermine human and environmental health across a period of time, this crime is tantamount to ecocide and crime against humanity. The incident in Azuzuama is yet another sad episode from NAOC operations as the testimonies from bereaved families and officials of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment also show.

     

    Pathway to Revocation of Agip’s

    Operational License

     

    The impunity and flagrant disregard for environmental regulations by Agip has resulted in massive environmental degradation and destruction of rural livelihoods over several decades of its operation in the Niger Delta. The laws governing oil spills and prevention of environmental degradation and security of lives and property have been severely compromised. As in other cases, the vegetation, trees and cash crops and livelihoods on both sides of the pipeline covering several hectares were severely burnt. Certainly, Agip is not meeting their own internal rules. They are also not meeting the regulations and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state of the art clean up technology remains the crude setting of oil spills ablaze. We demand the revocation of the operational license of Agip for their persistent and criminal liability in the frequent fire explosions and deaths recorded.

     

    As an environmental advocacy group monitoring the environment over two decades, again, we observe incontrovertibly a consistent trend of Agip’s pipeline explosions leading to needless death that have trailed the company’s operations since 1995. These incidents can be traced mostly to negligence and equipment failure and the substandard mode of clamping procedures. As a result we call on the Federal and state governments to set up an investigative panel to review Agip’s operations as well as its spill contingency plan and protocols, which have so far put production and profit at the fore and left safety at the back seat.

     

    Remediation and Compensation

    Although a few meetings have been held with family representatives of the deceased, nothing tangible has been done in terms of responsibility and liability. Agip’s insensitivity and delay is highly unacceptable.Beyond the need for investigation, Agip must provide public response to the frequent fire explosion incidents, and conduct immediate clean up and environmental remediation. While a price cannot be placed on the loss of human lives, we urge the payment of the sum of US$2 million each to the families of the bereaved since their bread winners have been taken away from them abruptly. This will also serve as a deterrent to Agip and other oil companies on the need to put lives first before profit.

     

    Constitutional Review of the Legislative Duty of states on the Environment

     

    At present state level environmental responsibility on oil matters is almost nil. One major constraint is that while the environment is in the Concurrent List of the state and federal government, oil and gas and allied matters are the exclusive preserve of the federal government. This lacuna is making the state woefully handicapped in this regard. This issue requires immediate legislative action for reform and expansion to include the jurisdiction of states on oil and gas matters in order to proactively safeguard the environment, lives and property.  

    • Ojo is Executive Director, ERA/FoEN

  • Fisheries and aquaculture: Options and pathway to providing more fish in Nigeria

    The increasing awareness of the roles fish and fisheries products play in the nutrition and food security of nations continue to put pressure on fisheries scientists and economists, natural resource managers, governments,non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to increase supply.

    Aside food, fish as the most common aquatic organisms provides jobs, foreign exchange, recreation, and raw materials to industries, such as the pharmaceutical and hospitality business. Fisheries (capturing from inland system, such as rivers, lakes and lagoons, and marine) and aquaculture (farming in an enclosure outside natural systems) are the two sources for fish and fisheries products.

    Data obtained from the Federal Department of Fisheries indicated that in Nigeria, the total fish production in 2012 was 968,283 tonnes with fisheries accounting for about 74 per cent and aquaculture contributing not more than 26 per cent (the country is first in the continent in the farming of catfish).

    Production from both ends is 40 per cent of the 1.5 million (MT) requirement of 9.38 kg per capita fish consumption with importation taking care of the huge balance. Increasing production from the two ends becomes imperative.

    Supply from both sub-sectors shows positive outlook with fisheries expanding by eight per cent and aquaculture by as much as 27 per cent using the 2010 as base figure. However, this is a far cry from what is needed to reduce the gap between supply from the local production and importation.

    The President of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Dr. Abba Abdullahi, said the situation is unacceptable because of the need to conserve the scarce foreign exchange and the huge arrays of different seafoods the country is blessed with.

    He said aquaculture is a critical means in ensuring that more fish is produced locally but quick to note that there is the need to rethink the restrictive definition of aquaculture to just the pond systems, urging the need to promote urgently the cage culture. In this light, two foreign firms have already indicated their willingness to invest in the cage culture systems in the country.

    Responding to the question of clashes of interests in the use of natural water systems for aquaculture viz a viz others uses, such as power generation, land reclaiming for urban beautification and renewal, etc, which states are carrying out, he suggested the need to pursue water productivity and enhancement with integrated water resource management.

    Fish and fisheries product remain a very valuable protein and essential micronutrient to ensure balance nutrition and promote good health. The contribution to nutrition and food security can-not but be emphasised.

    Complementing Dr. Abba, Mrs. Fakoya, K. A., a doctoral student at the Lagos State University (LASU) agreed that aquaculture may be used to promote increased access to fish.

    However, she cautioned on the need to examine critically the option, knowledge and capability, stating that the obvious mono species culture, where in only the catfish dominates production from farm is worrisome. He added that the market is showing signs of concern. Consumers are asking why it is only catfish that is mainly available.

    She suggested the need for the government, universities and research institutes to put in place the require incentives, such as funding for research on diversification of the monoculture for which fish farming in the country has been associated with in the last two decades.

    Mr. Joseph, Femi (Mr. Fish) drawing from his experience with cage culture emphasised that the technique should be handled carefully to avoid the danger of cultured species escaping to the wild and wiping out the fisheries.

    She further suggested the need to direct research towards a situation where aquaculture can be made to support production from artisanal fisheries.

    Based on her knowledge of Fisheries Biology and Fisheries Economics, she averred that given the scenario and optimistic projections, there was no way aquaculture will outcome supply from artisanal fisheries. Aquaculture is bound to face serious competition from other land uses even from within the agriculture industry. Federal and state institutions would need to be proactive in directing the mind of the youth towards fishing as an occupation.

    “The fishermen are aging while the youth continued to be held back by modernisation and find distasteful being called fishermen,” he said.

    Different problems hamper fish production and impact negatively on the efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in the rural areas, especially.

    Assistant Director-General, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Arni M. Mathiesen, in a foreword to The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (FAO, 2012), stated that the challenges confronting fisheries and aquaculture include poor governance, weak fisheries management regimes, conflicts over the use of natural resources, the persistent use of poor fishery and aquaculture practices, a failure to incorporate the priorities and rights of small-scale fishing communities, and injustices relating to gender discrimination and child labour.

    The governance structure remained a key issue in ameliorating constraints faced in fish production. The Fisheries Act 2014 when signed into law will provide a vital platform in making fish more accessible. A very key provision in the Act is the provision for the establishment of a Fisheries Commission, which among other functions, is ‘take measures, implement actions and otherwise perform its duties so as to ensure the long-term conservation, management and sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources, in order to meet the needs of present and future generations’.

    Eventually, when this act is gazzeted civil society and international and local non-governmental organisations must act in unison to give the necessary bite and hold government accountable on agreed commitments and ensure that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and represented.

    Abdullahi called on the government to sign it into law without any further delay.

     

    •Dr. Akintola is Senior Lecturer, Department of Fisheries, Lagos State University (LASU). E-mail: drsilfa@yahoo.com

  • APC vs. PDP: Pathway to impactful democracy

    Call it merger or carpet-crossing, politics in Nigeria is set for impactful democratic dimension with the emergence of a cross-country All Progressives Congress (APC) that will make it a formidable contender of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). Concisely, that APC can now become enlarged as an alternative to PDP will be the issue that will make politics meaningful. It does not matter whether the politicians in power are feeling threatened of the possibility of being logged out of office, or those in opposition are excited of the prospect of taking over power, what would be of essence to the people is the build up of democracy in governance.

    Democracy may be a recognisable utterance by many, but it is a concept still misconstrued and distorted when totalitarians and single-party regimes alike assert popular support by claiming the mantle of democracy. Yet, the power of the democratic idea might have prevailed through a long and noisy history – democratic government, in spite of abiding challenges, continues to evolve and flourish across the world.

    Democracy, which initiates from the Greek word ‘demos’ or people, is defined basically as government in which the supreme power is vested in the people. In some forms, democracy can be exercised directly by the people; in large societies, it is by the people through their elected representatives. Or, in the memorable phrase of American President Abraham Lincoln, democracy remains commonly defined as government of the people, by the people, and for the people. This common definition of democracy comes with an attractive set of values that when properly implemented guarantees the governed rights and freedoms of people that are unmatched in any other governance system.

    Pathetically, politics in Nigeria has hardly made meaningful impact on the life of the people beyond military dictatorship, even as the nation has been pretending to become democratic. Consistent civilian administrative failures have been more of not seeing democracy resting upon the principles of majority rule and individual rights.

    The most imperative and emblematic aspect of democracy is the ability to freely elect the leaders by the people. This characterizes the most noteworthy difference between democracy and other forms of government. Without this vital constituent, democracy ceases to exist. Since the ancient Greeks forged the contemporary knack of democracy, it has triumphed against other systems of government and become the global model. By its very nature in which leaders emerge and can be removed only through the vote of the people, democracy no doubt better guarantees the responsiveness of leaders to the needs of their people who voted them into office.

    With the many years of civil rule, Nigerians of all bands are staggering in disillusionment as they live through a dubious democracy that has turned out to be a most visionless and ethnic-oriented in the nation’s declining history. The first republic ended in disaster. The second republic was also truncated by the military in desperado. The only opportunity that would have pumped up true democratic leadership choice in the June 12, 1993 presidential election was aborted to pin down the factual will of the people. Today, the damaging tendency is still on – up to the current Anambra State sabotaged gubernatorial election. With such fraudulence and electoral manipulation of the will of the people, 14 years of PDP in dominant federal rule has not brought any tangible developmental improvement into the nation.

    While illegitimate leaders continue to pretend with the false label of a democracy, in reality it has been more a replica of military juntas where the usurpers of power have used the apparatus of the state, complemented by godfathers and other enablers to deliberately and routinely rig elections and impose candidates at every level of government. Genuine democracies conduct habitual free and fair elections open to citizens of voting age. People in egalitarianism have not only rights, but also the responsibility to participate in the political system that, in turn, protects their rights and freedoms.

    The sham system that pretends to be a democracy has given a free rein to an unconscionable and blatant cluster of inefficient and uncommitted leadership in governance. Today, we are experiencing another utmost looting spree, like under the military, in the nation’s account. With fuel subsidy scandals and unaccounted excess oil incomes, there is absolutely nothing to show for the record earnings. The most fundamental infrastructural necessities of life such as good roads, power supply, pipe-borne water and serviceable hospitals are physically fictional and imaginary – except in the few states of the opposition parties where works are truly being done.

    The strength of a nation is determined by those who man it.  The people entrusted with the custody of governance must practice the basic life principles of ethics, integrity and responsibility.  Of course these principles go out the window when the people are hungry and cannot take care of their families.

    People are not merely fulfilled having access to the ballot box when their wills are denied. Rather, they should have access to the basic necessities of life which is necessary for building and maintaining strong nation. The higher the edification of the people, the better placed they are to understand the issues and hence their ability to choose the right people to represent them in government. Making the wrong choices can negate the hopes and aspirations of the entire nation.

    The one-major party democracy we are currently practicing is a charade. In order to make progress as a nation we must get rid of pretence and go through the pains of development by having the opportunity of making alternative choice. As democracy includes genuine competition for power, if APC is strengthened with authentic progressive visions and missions, a voter can make a choice between it and the non-performing ruling party that just became proud as the biggest party in Africa simply because people in a corrupt nation wants to be partakers of the defrauded goods of the land.

    Meaningful democracy must be directed to the interest of the poor who form majority of the voting class. In a democracy, everyone has one vote.  The professor in the university and the peasant farmer in the village each have equal say.  The problem is that if majority of the citizenry are poor, uneducated people, there would not be the high level of civic sense necessary for a successful democracy. This is why bad governance decisions can easily be made.  Corrupt and inefficient politicians are taking advantage of the underprivileged by offering cheap bribes in exchange for their votes.  Ongoing story of Anambra State is an example which INEC wants to close eyes to with what it tagged supplementary election instead of total reformation of unrighteousness. This might of course negate the quality of the democracy we should desire to build in 2015.

    Free and relatively fair elections must be the rule if politics would develop the nation. It must not be ethnic resolution that has been bringing insolent people to power just for the sake of power.