Again, May 29 is here, a very special day to celebrate the reclamation of democracy from the jackboots of military autocracy, a day to honor all those who died defending our freedom and democracy. It is also a day to ponder over our journey thus far as well as the fate of all those around us who sow so much faith in expectations of a much better life under this democratic dispensation.
Today too, every family should be able to sit down and candidly discuss how the current administration’s change agenda has touched them in the past three years. Is it the lessening of your burdens through free school feeding for all your children; reduced cost of education, house rent, transport or an improved health sector, motivated and unbiased policing, unfettered judiciary or the monthly N24 billion subsidy on petrol? Or, more importantly, is your village or town adequately feeling the much promised utopian positive change in the areas of economy, anti-corruption efforts and security?
While the current administration appears to be trying its best within available capacity, my interactions with many Nigerians about the economy reflects widespread anxiety over mass unemployment, the loss of jobs by some ten million people over the past three years and the declining ability of indigent people to feed their families, even as corporate bodies too cry over the unprecedented decline in the exchange rate. A command and control style of managing the CBN and the economy murdered the Naira and a softening of the approach is far from accomplishing proper recovery.
Many enjoy the never-ending drama of people being dragged around by our anti-corruption agencies but others have trenchantly expressed the view that anti-corruption processes should be far much more than the use of media trial to entertain lynch mobs with the unending prosecution of opposition figures.
For security, most realistic Nigerians now nurse deeper apprehension about worsened spate of armed robbery, kidnapping and terrorism. While the campaign promise about bringing back the Chibok girls has remained so coldly unrealized, the nation witnessed a more flagrant incident in Dapchi, vast areas around Birni-Gwari, Kaduna state which produces the highest volume of maize in northern Nigeria remain under terrorist siege and travellers on several major roads now routinely report armed robbery and the serial abduction of travellers. In what sort of countries or in how many countries of the world do criminals abduct more than 80 persons on the highway in one day, the way it happened along Abuja-Kaduna road two weeks ago?
If you look around, you will notice too that within the last two years alone, the prevalence of illicit drug use, psychiatric complications, mental depression and even suicide, have become more rampant as many peoples individual situations turn more desperate.
Lest our collective observations and deep concerns be misconstrued, it must be stated here that we are not apportioning blames but making clear, some of the challenges that would require a sensitive leadership and all citizens’ combined efforts to resolve.
Atiki was an active participant in our great nation’s march towards democratic rule; many in the struggle suffered untold hardships and made indescribable sacrifice. Today, we must all salute all the men, women and youth of courage whose passionate and idealistic commitments have brought Nigeria’s democracy thus far. Such people of conviction and deep patriotism still exist across the length and breadth of Nigeria and together, we can make ours a truly great nation.
As compatriots, we should all be more willing to reason beyond the confines of political affiliations, especially when bodies like the Centre for Democracy and Development come out with survey rating the current administration so low on corruption, security and the economy, there is indeed, cause for concern.
The tendency to hound the opposition elements under the guise of anti-corruption fight which has not lent itself to transparency, fairness, respect for the rule of law and court pronouncements; media trials, unrestrained uncouth language and adjectives to describe our citizenry in the comity of nations should be cause for concern by all at home and in the diaspora.
As we proceed towards the 2019 general election, we wish to encourage us all to collect our voters’ cards and demand a free, fair and transparent election; the media and civil society must remain vigilant watchdogs of society and we must not rest until Nigeria becomes a just society in which peace, social justice, security, progress and genuine development blossom.
Democracy must be built through an open society that believes in genuine dialogue; when there is debate and sharing of information, there is enlightenment and viable solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no respect for the judiciary or rule of law, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation. For our democracy to work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers.
In our time, Nigeria shall achieve true greatness. Happy Democracy Day!
Atiku Advocates- Pola
