State Of The Nation: Nigerians Lament That Politicians Have Turned Democracy Upside Down In Nigeria

By Raheem Ibrahim

Nigerians across various socio-economic divides have expressed their grievances over how the present Federal Government is running the country, and the alleged secret pressure on opposition party governors to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They reasoned that it is a misnomer to describe Nigeria as a democratic state, but rather an emerging fascist nation, going by the mass defections—obviously under threat—to the ruling APC.

A cross-section of those who spoke with our correspondent from different parts of the federation in respect of the Democracy Day celebration said Nigeria’s democracy is currently lacking in all globally recognized attributes of democracy, starting with the rule of law.

Many of the speakers, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that a country where governors and other political office holders defect from the parties that brought them to power into the ruling APC with impunity—contrary to the provisions of the constitution—is anti-democratic.

While some are angered by the government’s lack of concern for the hardship and serious insecurity in the country, others are disillusioned with the ostentatious lifestyle of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

They argued that while many Nigerians can no longer afford even one meal a day due to high costs and lack of employment, the Tinubu administration is repainting places like the International Conference Centre, Abuja with billions of naira.

“The insensitivity of the Tinubu administration to the hardship, insecurity, inflation, etc. in Nigeria is the height of political idiocy,” said Usman Jalingo, a lawyer by profession.

According to him, “It is quite disheartening that Tinubu, whom many believed would do better than his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, started from day one with a wrong decision. He removed the fuel subsidy like a military regime would—without adequate consultation—even though we are in a democracy.

“Even with all the trillions accruing to the country from the subsidy removal, there has been no tangible improvement in the lives of Nigerians. Instead, more hardship has been created across all spheres. Matters are made worse by continuous external borrowing running into billions of dollars. What are they doing with the money?” Jalingo asked.

Another contributor from Owerri, who simply identified herself as Mrs. Nnayi, said that as far as she is concerned, democracy does not exist in Nigeria.

She said, “Look at what is happening everywhere—people are running into the APC because they feel that’s where the loot is. They want to have their own share of our money by supporting Tinubu, who got into office dubiously.

“INEC is corrupt, the judiciary is corrupt, and just yesterday I read about the threat the Ebonyi State governor issued to traditional rulers—to support Tinubu and the APC or risk having their certificates of office revoked. Do you call such behaviour democratic?” she asked.

Another speaker, Oyebamiji Alade, told our correspondent that there is nothing democratic in what the country has witnessed in recent times. He cited the mass demonstrations led by Tinubu’s APC against Goodluck Jonathan’s administration when the government slightly increased the price of fuel.

According to him, “Security agencies under Jonathan could not attack anyone, including Tinubu, but can this present government allow any such demonstration without sending security operatives after the demonstrators?”

“Across the country, while Tinubu’s administration and its cheerleaders beat their chests that a messiah is in power, millions of Nigerians are regretting their citizenship in a country where corruption is beautified and honoured, while virtue is suppressed and demonized,” he added.

Also, Michael Ayoade, who spoke anonymously, remarked, “Many seem to have lost hope in the country and are only waiting for God to deliver us all from the hands of the oppressors. To them, it is an anathema to say that Nigeria is a democracy, and there is nothing to celebrate on a day like this.”