Nigeria has had varied experience of democracy, interspersed with series of military rule. One of the unforgettable military ruler, General Sani Abacha, died suddenly in 1998. His successor, General Abdulsalami Abubakar promised a transition from military to civilian government, and accordingly a new constitution was adopted on May 5, 1999. Elections were held and General Olusegun Obasanjo, who had previously governed Nigeria as a military ruler, was elected the new president and assumed office on the May 29, 1999. From that time, Nigeria, as a nation, has been celebrating democracy on May 29 every year.
On May 29, 2014, Nigeria celebrate her 15 years of democracy. Unfortunately, for Nigeria none of the attributes of democracy is being executed well. Instead, the country is surrounded by series of foreboding events. For instance, youths, who are regarded as the backbone of development in any society, are now agents of destruction. They are being sponsored to engage in illegal acts of thuggery, drugs, robbery, cultism, human trafficking, suicide bombings and apparently daily killings of innocents, especially in the northern part of the country by Boko Haram.
Students have been abducted from schools, while many educational institutions have been shut unprecedentedly for the fear of terror attacks. In the country, weapons of mass destructions are being smuggled in successfully. Here, elders, stakeholders and traditional rulers are silent for fear of saying the truth.
Whereas Nigeria has witnessed 100 years of its amalgamation, some persons are agitating for division. Government, despite its military strength for peace-keeping in the world over, is now appealing to other countries to intervene in its national security.
With things like these happening in Nigeria, there is definitely a need for change if we are to have true democracy. But for this to happen, the negative attitudes of Nigerians need to be altered. It is palpable that the accusing fingers are always pointed at leaders, particularly the president, but the logic behind this is because for any good governance there must be better nation. But the fact remains that because leaders alone could not determine the success or failure of the nation. There is need for supportive hands from its advisers, lawmakers and the electorate. Therefore, everyone is a contributor, though leaders have the lion share.
Nasimah Ado Halilu, a 400-Level Student of Mass Communication Department, University of Maiduguri.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
