When it comes to my dear country, we’ve not really enjoyed much with regards to democracy. Yeah, we have more freedom than we did during the military regime, at least you can be free to be foolish and also be free to make dumb decisions like jumping queues and driving against the traffic. However, when we look at the grand scheme of things, when we go deeper into the matter and scrutinize it, are we still free?
This is 2024 and the things we say are still being censored, you could say the wrong things that will land you in prison, and you could air an opinion that could very well get you in trouble. I just have to say this here, democracy just might be the wrong thing for Nigeria so far. Because right from the get, we’ve never really enjoyed it. We’ve only been plagued by leaders who just don’t seem to have our best interests at heart and who simply don’t want anything good for us.
Our leaders have shown time and again that they don’t care about us, they only come around when it’s time to vote and they’re willing to do anything and everything to secure their power. It’s sickening, especially when they don’t mind pitting one tribe against the other, or one religion against the other. They would do anything just to secure that seat for themselves.
Nigeria is a diverse nation with hundreds of tribes, and people say that for that very reason, it will be difficult to have one mind. But how can that be difficult? At least we’re still the same race. The United States is made up of multiple races, they literally have citizens from just about every country and every tribe in the world, yet, they make it work. They’re usually able to put their differences aside and decide on a candidate.
If they choose a person to vote for, they’ll give you reasons for their choice. The person can do this and do that, it won’t matter if these are things that you relate with, what matters is that they believe that their candidate will make that happen. However, in my corner of paradise, it’s not the same thing. When you ask someone why they want a person to be president, they say it’s because he’s their brother, or it’s his turn. This is the reason why we’ve been sinking. Other countries rise through democracy, e reach our turn and the only way seems to be down.
And funny enough, democracy is the only hope because there’s no way we’ll return to military rule. I will never support that. For now, I’ll just say that it’s the lesser of two evils, and until we as a people can unanimously decide to step up and use our power, this suffering will keep going around. Because this is one palliative that they’ll refuse to hoard. You must collect am!
It’s a scary notion, but we can do better. We can get better leaders, we can keep tribal biases and religious sentiments aside. If things like tribe and religion don’t matter in movies, music, and business, why the hell should it matter when picking leaders? Why do we insist on being used by these guys who do not care about us? The very people who incite the rivalry will be chilling in their villas, being friends and enjoying each other's company. Meanwhile, the grassroots will be fighting each other, fights that make no sense and have no bearing because, in the long run, it will only distract you from the real enemy. As long as you’re fighting amongst yourselves, you’d never be able to fight them. Divide and conquer is their motto.
So, my dear friends, if we really want to start enjoying democracy, we need to learn to look beyond our biases. Both religious and tribal. People should be chosen as leaders by what they can do not by who they are. Because that your brother that you’re clamoring for, when he assumes power, there is a high likelihood that shishi, you no go see inside! Except if it’s shege that he’s sharing, then you’ll collect woto-woto. As in ehn… we really need to do better ooo!
It's great to see that we share the same thoughts about Nigeria and democracy, it's been a lie just for those evil men up there to dominate.
We go out to vote but our votes don't count, we can speak against bad governance and after looking deeply, I can't point out at one way in which the government is protecting our interest as citizens.
Without putting our differences aside, I don't think anything will happen. We have to reach an agreement as a nation to combat this thing we are practicing that disguises as democracy.
The government will never care, and until we ourselves actually start caring, things will only get worse. Nothing more, nothing less.
My dear for is is not the democracy itself but the bad eggs that we have representing us. No one cares what happens to the next person that is our problem here. We are just surviving by God's grace.
Thanks for sharing
As in ehn... by God's grace only.
If only the citizens opinions count probably this country would have been better than it is now because there are better people among the citizens but you know that in Nigeria if you don't know people that know people you can't get to the top not to talk of becoming someone people can vouch for.
What we have now is not a democracy but a crazy demo and I am sure we are yet to see what else is coming because those politicians don't want neutral person they will always choose someone they can control and corrupt as time goes on.
As in ehn... they want people who will only guarantee their power and resources. That is why they will do everything that they can to ensure that they remain in power. Either directly or indirectly.
The problem I see is Nigerians. The citizens are not ready to effect a change. When we are ready to look beyond tribe and religion, we may start getting it right. The present president played the card of Emilokan. Atiku played the card of assumed block votes from the north. Obi played religious card mixed with ethnicity. In all of these the supporters were blind to Tinubu's time as Governor, Atiku's time as vice president and Obi's time as Governor respectively. We are miles away from getting it right.
As in ehn... we only always see the things that we want to see, regardless of the glaring truth that's right in front of us at all times. We really need to do better.
Honestly... We have to. Nigeria has the potential of greatness.
Voting should be based on the works a person doing for their area not base don the relation.
Yeah... but in this case, we only focus on emotions and sentiments.
Leaders don't care about people means there is no democracy because, in a democratic system, the people's word should matter only.
I think if there is a chance to stop corruption then, you can expect a truly democratic system.
Yeah... that chance lies with the people. But we have to be willing to do what is required.