It is 20 years since the end of military regime in Nigeria and a return to a civilian government that started sometime in 1999.
Reports have further shown that out of over 200 million Nigerians, about 45 percent of the populace still live in extreme poverty with a large percentage of children out of school.
More so, economic growth has regressed, unemployment is high and government forces are battling armed groups such as Banditry Herdsmen, Boko Haram etc.
Looking back memory lane where we began as a nation with dichotomous views geared towards common goal (nationalism), you would agree with me that the difference between where we were then compared to what we are now is quite wide.
The transitions we have been experiencing since the inception of our dear nation, have contributed in one way or the other to our democracy. Thus, this is simply an affirmation to the fact that our democracy is growing but in a very myopic way.
Having carefully observed the growth cycle of the country for the past years, it could be true to say that 20 years of democracy with no visible development at disposal does not worth celebrating, and should rather be a time for deep reflective thinking.
Penultimately, I was watching a live broadcast of President Muhammandu Buhari on Monday when he officially confirmed June 12 as a national day to mark democracy in Nigeria then, something drawn my attention to the topic above.
Yes! Mr. President deserves our accolades for this historic feat he brought to our democracy but we must also remind ourselves some fundamental questions that are highlighted as follows:
After 20 years of interrupted democracy, what next? Are we going to be celebrating days or epitomising our values as a great nation? What is true democracy in a failed economic system? Why do we still have hitches in our electoral system while other nations boast of an hitch-free system? Who are we to blame for this mumbo jumbo that we find ourselves? The Nigerians or the leaders?
In the words of Dino Melaye and I quote “No Nigerian is more Nigerian than Nigeria itself”. This simply connotes that we are all to be blamed for the problem we find ourselves. The failure of one Nigeria is the failure of all irrespective of who commits the blunder.
It’s high time we come together as “one entity” irrespective of our political ideologies, religious affiliations, economic status or social standing, and build a formidable democracy that would command a resounding ovation from other allied countries. I strongly believe that Nigeria will rise again if only we can right all these wrongs defaming our democracy.
God bless Nigeria! God bless Kogi! God bless Okun! God bless you!
Happy Democracy Nigerians!!!
– Israel Arogbonlo