It is the belief of many that democracy should guarantee people good life. A stable democracy piloted by visionary leaders who possess the intellectual clouts to see issues at their broader and more complex perspectives should ensure a strong, stable, vibrant, virile economy with an enabling peaceful and stable political environment. Under a condition like this, the citizens can benefits maximally and fullest from democracy – good living condition, employment generation, security of lives, property and equal opportunities for self-actualisation.
It must be the quest for a society where every individual can pursue his or her own aspiration using his or her God given potentials to the fullest that made many Nigerians take the battle for democracy with seriousness it deserved. But our democracy had been bastardised through bad leadership and nonchalance of our leaders who tend to stay in power for the rest of their life. Indeed, ‘sit tight’ syndrome on the part of African leaders is an issue. It is baffling and even beyond my imagination that people clamour and canvass for votes for men of 78 years and above to govern us, while the youths of 40 plus, who are roaming around the streets without job opportunities, could not even have access to ordinary State House of Assemblies, not to mention the National Assembly, due to their inability to pursue their political dreams as a result of high cost of our politics, especially by way of high cost of nomination forms and other financial constraints.
Imagine after Fifteen (15) years of uninterrupted military misrule during which the most cherished values of Nigerians were destroyed, with cavalier arrogance, by a band of ruthless, atavistic and self-seeking soldiers, the hunger of Nigerians for good governance can be understood. For fifteen (15) years, we all watched helplessly, albeit painfully, the systematic denigration of all decent norms and the deliberate pauperisation of the citizens of this country. However, it was the pursuit of good governance and Democracy that ushered in our present democratic dispensation which people had yearned for. But rather that good governance the reverse has been the case as we all watch without any rebuff by our activists who seem to have gone to sleep in the present of draconian and military mentality of the present administration. Those who dare mobilise for protest or anything of sort may be framed up and end up in the questioning rooms of the EFCC or DSS, for unknown reasons. People now opt to keep mum instead of reacting to this anomaly. When are going to put a stop to all these maladministration of present administration? After all, the era of the military juntas are over and our constitution provides for free association and expression for everyone, which we are now most times deprived of.
As a consequence of the military incursion, hunger, disease and ignorance became the lot of Nigerians. Life became a thing to endure rather than enjoy. But with the birth of the democratic dispensation, millions of Nigerians were imbued with hope – hopes that, at last, beautiful things were about to happen to the country; that their sorrows and distress would soon be the thing of the past following the avalanche of promises made to the people by the democratically elected leaders. But after Nineteen (19) years into our democratic journey, the democratically elected leaders are yet to make the people see the difference between democratic governments and the military dictators, who, for long, held the nation hostage.
Although it is commonly said that the worst civilian regime is much better than the best military administration, Nigerians will want to see this betterment in very concrete terms and forms. Nigerians will wants to see food on their tables, have access to effective health care delivery system, good roads, potable water etc. There must be a remarkable difference in the quality of life of the citizens of this country. But life has become harder for the people; some are committing suicide by jumping into the rivers or hanging themselves for the fact that they no longer cope with the challenges which the present situation of the Nigeria’s economy presents to them.
We surely know that the problems of this country are too numerous to be solved even within the short period of any administration irrespective of any political parties. But one would have expected that after nineteen (19) years of civilian administration, any serious government should have laid the foundation for finding lasting solutions to these problems. Regrettable, however, our politicians have been busy chasing shadows. All we have been hearing are ganging-ups impeachments, combat between governors and his deputy, accusations and counter accusation of corruption both real and imagined – while the social problems of the people have been neglected. When will the politicians stop pursing all these fruitless ventures and for once start working to make life better for those who elected them into office or will they allow the hope of Nigerians to die off ?
Imagine from obscurity, oil boom catapulted Nigeria into global economic limelight in the 60s and 70s, and the doom of a profligate nation was held in abeyance by time. Very soon, corruption came knocking, but boom wedged its foot against the door ajar, inquiring who the intrusive visitor was. Corruption is an albatross that never travels alone. Ethnicity, impunity, nepotism, arrogance, disunity and unimaginable leadership were on its entourage. Corruption shoved down boom out of the doorway, tearing down the door for his entourage to march in. Ever since, Nigeria has battled corruption; its entourage and other forms of evil without success.
Of all the evils bedeviling the country, however, none is as frightening and as potentially calamitous as the evil of drug abuse afflicting her youths who, perhaps, see only a bleak future ahead of them. They now take solace in all manner of drug abuses. Drug abuse is the very Sword of Damocles dangling high above the heart of Nigeria. Drug abuse has scaled the fence of higher institutions and entered into churches and mosques, the holy of holies. Indeed, the drug abuse has been on the increase, but I never knew it has entered into places of worship. Imagine the viral video of a young cultist girl in hijab, who confessed of killing several people. When some Abia state University students beheaded fellow students and used their heads as goalposts, the federal and state government didn’t see drug abuse as a predisposing factor. When armed robbers killed over 50 persons in a bank robbery in Offa, Kwara state, the NDLEA didn’t see drug abuse as a factor. Government didn’t see drug abuse in the squishing of countless victims’ head by Badoo Boys in Ikorodu, and the ritual killings by Yahoo-Yahoo Boys.
The Presidency and National Assembly are lost about redeeming Nigeria’s drug-crazed youths, but are very much alive in their political pettiness. Cultism doesn’t reside in tertiary institutions and secondary schools anymore, it has moved into primary schools, mechanic workshops, hairdressing salons, and butchers’ association, viewing centres, eateries and beer parlours. No family is immune; the threat is real. There are times when parents must maintain eternal vigilance on their children. While the children of the rich do cocaine, heroin, amphetamine etc, those of the poor sniff gum, human and lizard faeces, urine and gulp Tramadol. Marijuana is now like peppermints to our future generation.
Orunbon, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Epe, Lagos State.
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