The Façade of Democracy

A Nigerian Youth League Publication

Nigeria ! One of the gradually stabilising democracies in sub-Saharan Africa should be the flagship system of true democratic values in Africa . It also ought to set the pace for other African countries to follow because it is the “Giant of Africa” as well as the 6^th largest producer of crude oil to the energy hungry industrial nations. Nigeria must develop certain unique democratic values as it is the most populous black nation in the world i.e. Nigeria is the real “Heartbeat of Africa”. For these reasons it begs us to describe and understand what true democracy means to Nigeria in comparison to its global partners and hopefully use this to ascertain the true or divergent nature of democracy as we know it. I believe that at the end of this one we will be able to make a conclusive judgement as to the best method of adapting democracy to our own needs as well as aspirations as one nation under God. Democracy confounds and almost confuses the eager students of the new world order when we consider the different ways it is administered in various countries. The definition of democracy which states “the rule of the people for the people by the people” should be applied to the Nigerian socio-economic and political fabric in a bid to see how it fits and what can be done to give it a more definitive direction in our own unique Nigerian style.

It goes without saying that democracy has lasted the test of time as a formidable governance ideology which is now accepted as the de-facto and acceptable form of governance that most formerly authoritarian regimes try to emulate. Are they really democratic or are they all just putting up an acceptable façade for the whole world to see? We know as a matter of fact that democracy will mean “different things to different people in different places” however the ideology is so amoeboid in its shape and form that it could easily take on board the shape of the environment it finds itself and still have all the trappings of a supposed democracy. Let’s take some case studies in looking at this democracy which is now the norm in global governance.

Post Glasnost and Perestroika Russia ran an Elitist Oligarchic state where the rich ruled and the poor wallowed in squalor and the Oil wealth of the country was used in funding the decadence of the powerful Elite. In this sense we find that the country catered for a few and the populace were neglected. Things however changed with the inauguration of President Vladmir Putin as the overlord “Big Brother” of Russian democracy. In one fell swoop the country reverted to its Leninist repression in the name of growth and restoration of the Russian pride. The country under Putin turned out to be a police state democracy albeit successful; where you have a vote albeit that if you vote for the wrong party you may have yourself to blame for it! We can see the result of this democracy with the election of Dmitry Medvedev without opposition. The police state successfully managed its democratic transition without a hitch. Though orchestrated with state power the democratic nature of Russia can not be denied.

In Italy we find that former Premier Silvio Bellusconi ran a very decadent government riddled with different corruption charges whilst he controlled most of the state media. His capitalist nature obviously came to bear on his governance style within a democracy. It goes to show that democracy is forced to tolerate the whims of a Premier as far as the electorate felt satisfied in their leader.

Look at Colombia , a country where the renowned Drug Baron Pablo Escobar won a sit in the Senate. He was loved by the Medellin populace and I’m sure if he resurrected they would vote him in again. Their democracy finally found a place for him and he bank rolled quite a few allies in the same senate with Drug funds. I believe that we can call the Columbian Democracy a “Shambolic Democracy”. Does this state of criminal democratic sponsors remind you readers of our own country?

Democracy if practised verbatim is a wondrous element. Talking about China the only remaining bastion of socialism, we find that they are also trying to adapt capitalist ideology in its still very socialist governance structure. They are fundamentally using Democracy in certain aspects of their socio-economic fabric and continue their government in the best way they know. They are using Democratic values where required whilst conveniently ignoring democracy where it conflicts with their evolved governance style. I call this “Selective Democracy”. This is aptly noticeable in the recent repression of the Tibetans in their bid for Independence from Main land China .

Let’s go to the colonial overlord that taught us Democracy as we know it. Great Britain has succeeded in adapting their old Monarchy to the new ideas as postulated in the “Magna Carta” the founding document of modern democracies. England ruled these Isles with an Iron fist and only recently did the Welsh and Scots get to govern themselves under the yoke of English Imperialism which they had endured since the middle ages. It is amazing how the Queen of England still has certain autocratic holds on the financial aspects of the economy owning taxes and real estate that are only similar to those that African nationalists tried to amass for themselves once the colonial yokes came off. No one frowns at the history behind the wealth and rights of the British establishment hence can you blame the tyrannical African leaders that emerged from the colonial struggles to countries that they considered their fiefdoms, Nigeria included.

It is becoming obvious that democracy is a delusion for the covert control of the country by the same powers that be whilst evolving to meet the demands of the new world order. An interesting notion this may be, however we need to then look at the main proponent and champion of Democracy as we know it. America is the land of the free. A country built on the main tenets of freedom and equality as stated in the “Declaration of Independence”; driven by the capitalist urge and the speculative markets. The American dream is based on these summarized tenets. Here we find that they have also adapted their hitherto turbulent and somewhat bloody history into their democratic values. Nowadays the American system of democracy is considered the standard for democracies however it needs to be said that this is but another variation of that same ideology which we have read above.

In America we find that theirs is a confetti of money democracy or for the better use of a word “Capitalist democracy”. All one needs to look at is the amount of money that is being used by the presidential candidates to pursue their presidential ambitions. Hillary Clinton supposedly raised 30 million USD and has ran out of funds, whilst Barack Obama an ardent driver of positive change managed to raise 70 million USD and still going strong. This reminds me of a certain African country I know where money is the predominant order of the day during elections as opposed to policy. We also need to further analyse the destructive tendency of the American democracy where a country would wage an unjust war and the “by the people” aspect of democratic tenets were conveniently repressed whilst the electorate were arrogantly ignored by the people they voted into power! Believe it or not but the bill to go to war in Iraq was supported by the Senate even though the majority of Americans and the world protested against this invasion of country and human rights!! The prosecution of this war to establish democracy was criminal however we will leave that to history to judge. If one looks at the above plethora of variations in democracy we find that it is an adaptable governance style, which can be used for good or bad depending on the perception one holds on the subjective matters that democracy has to contend with. This is fully espoused in the democratic tenet of freedom of speech which encourages debate but doesn’t necessarily come to an altogether agreeable conclusion most of the time.

Considering all that has been stated above, Nigeria is a peculiar case study as it has all the symptoms of a potential democracy but with most of the variations stated above as accoutrements. The Nigerian democratic state has its Oligarchic tendencies as well as the money politics which is inherent in its elective process. It also has its authoritarian and repressive aspects whilst maintaining a posture of freedom of speech and expression. Imagine someone coming out in Zamfara State and openly declaring himself or herself as a Gay or transvestite. I can guarantee you that this individual will not be spared of full judgement! It is not news that Nigeria is listed as one of the countries where human rights abuse is the order of the day by the state security apparatus. Are we that much different from the western governments that try to stigmatise us? Or are we any different historically from our own colonial master Great Britain ? Looking at the American presidential system of democracy, we find that it is a stroke of historical fortune that rebellion to the British Empire started the American dream. The Slave trade encouraged its growth whilst its initially corrupt governments established its financial base as a global super power. It is most amazing that Nigeria is now vilified in global circles for not practising “all” the values of democracy verbatim. Our democracy has been strengthened by years of evolving electoral malpractices; our populace have exercised fortitude in the face of decadent leadership, our economy has defied all economic theories and is now gradually finding its feet for stability; in all this it is obvious that God Almighty has stated categorically that “in strength will I establish this mine house to last forever”. I believe that this is in direct reference to the Nigerian democratic vision.

There’s a lot to be said for our recent democratic impasse by way of the last elections held in Nigeria . President Umaru Musa Yara’adua has started on a road to what I call “verbatim democracy” according to the standards laid down by the west. The rule of law appears to be understood and accepted, his non-interference policy which could find him in hot water appears to be working with the judiciary upholding his election whilst debunking quite a few others i.e. Anambra and Edo states respectively to mention a few. It was expectedly noted by “western” observers that the elections which brought forth this political enigma were fraught with election malpractices; and how best to summarize this than to use the words of that Yoruba Luminary Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he stated that “a bad election has brought forth a good man for the job”. A peculiar statement form a staunch Action Congress stalwart however I’ve come to realise that this is the nature of the Nigerian democracy.

Can President Yar’adua succeed with his “verbatim democracy” which is notably different from his predecessor Ex Presdent Olusegun Obasanjos? I really would love to see this part of our democratic evolution and see where it leads us. One thing however needs to be noted. Democracy is like a genetic whirlpool. This is so because we will observe that all the democracies above have borrowed their styles from the former governance styles in their respective national histories. Nigeria should not be different. There is however an issue that Nigeria needs to take into consideration for it to succeed as a democratic beacon for the African continent; and this is the assertion that all democracies have an agenda which is based on the vision of their respective countries. In this sense all democracies are managed and the ultimate vision of the country is what directs the leaders of thoughts in guiding their debates towards ensuring that the populace are not led astray in this façade of democracy. Democracy has the potential to lead us to the Promised Land however it also has the inertia to further destroy the national and social cohesion that we have managed to develop over the last 4 decades. If our democracy is not well managed we stand the risk of loosing out in the emerging globalisation that pits all countries in a hyper competition for resources. The beginning of our journey to the Promised Land can only be achieved with the actualisation of a coherent vision for all. We require a vision for the motherland which will direct the democratic style we require and also inform the electorate in choosing a candidate that embodies these values hence bringing about successive governments that will bring stability and progress to the real potential of a greater Nigeria .

Democracy is a fantastic ideology however as we have observed in global politics, democracy is adapted to the needs of the country in question. It evolves on the lines of the requirements of its peoples. Democracy has no hard and fast rules. Every country practices it the way it deems fit. It will continue to be so and this fundamental unwritten tenet in democracies must be understood by all strata’s of government in Nigeria . Unlike the late musical luminary Chief Priest Fela Anikulapo Kuti when he paraphrased democracy to mean “demonstration of craze” I would rather consider democracy as a “demonstration of conscious national direction based on a national vision” by the leaders of a country. Democracy is a responsibility which everyone that aspires to governance must understand in all its shapes and sizes so that it is not misunderstood, as there is more harm than gain if this global ideology is globally misunderstood! This is more pertinent in Nigeria as we are and should be the true beacon of democratic values in the black world.

Any comments should be sent to the email below.

daniel@nigerianyouthleague.org

Robot  # 1 | 24.03.2008 12:58

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