Democracy is supposed to promote peace, development and progress for the people of nations. It is supposed to unite the people and uplift the nations but in Africa, democracy is turning bloody and into a system of anarchy and assisting corruption.
Countries around the world have different ways of conducting political campaigns. In Nigeria, political campaigns are very contentious and hazardous.
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For very long, we have been losing precious souls of our youths in the name of promoting democracy. Political campaigns have become lucrative channels of stealing, arm-robbery and arson.
No one is spared, and our security operatives cannot curb the problems associated with political campaigns because of their limitations.
Citizens who should be happy to openly support their candidates are afraid to do so because of the dangers associated with our campaigns.
Often, thugs take over campaign venues and processions. They accost motorists in broad daylight to confiscate valuable items and attack passersby. People are always afraid during political campaigns as their safety is not guaranteed and their right of movement is impeded.
Should we continue this way? I think we should devise other ways of holding our campaigns to safeguard the lives and property of our citizens.
Many countries have discarded the practice of holding campaigns in open venues to ensure safety of those who attend. Some have resorted to the use the media to send their messages. The same system can work in Nigeria. We have various types of media that can reach the nooks and crannies of our country. If they are used they can reduce the cost of campaigns, ensure safety and give voters greater opportunity to reach out to the candidates.
Campaigns through the media will do away with the chaos associated with rallies. I will suggest that we should try that now for the good of our democracy and the progress of our nation.
Politics should not be accompanied with the fear of a loss of property or life. It should be a way of promoting our unity, peace and progress of our dear nation.
Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim is a lecturer, Mass Communication Department, Kaduna Polytechnic
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