June 12: 20 Years of Democracy
June 12: 20 Years of Democracy
Over the years I have celebrated
June 12, and to commemorate the event I usually wrote articles. Some of those
articles include: “June 12: Hope and The ‘Dividends’ of Democracy”,
“June 12: Sacrifices, Unity & Politics of Division and “June 12: Blood
Democracy & Spirit of Reconciliation”. This year I am in a celebrative and
reflective mood, and this will probably be my last commemorative June 12
article.
When President Muhammadu Buhari made the June 12 pronouncement in 2018, his
critics wrongly assumed it was primarily about his 2019 re-election bid, but
nothing could be farther from the truth. The President has since won his
re-election and could have reneged on his promise if the pronouncement was
solely about electioneering. However, being a man of his word, President Buhari
marked June 12 in grand style. The President graciously postponed his inaugural
speech and associative events from May 29 to June 12, 2019;
officially making June 12 Nigeria’s official democracy day. A series of events
had taken place, which included the posthumous honour bestowed upon Mrs.
Kudirat Abiola as the “Unsung Martyr of Nigerian Democracy”. Like a gift that
keeps on giving, President Buhari pleasantly surprised Nigerians by renaming
the Abuja National Stadium to the MKO Abiola National Stadium Abuja. An honour
well deserved for a uniquely philanthropic man officially recognised by
Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the first “Pillar of Sports in
Africa” during his lifetime.
President Buhari’s reconciliatory gesture not only consolidates his democratic
credentials but cements his name in the annals of history forever. President
Buhari has indeed taken the glory of the auspicious event and some former
Presidents can only rue what could have been eternally.
As Nigeria’s democracy day will forever be on June
12, it affirms that if you believe in a genuine selfless cause and stand by it,
your efforts shall never be in vain.
26 years ago, on June 12 1993, Nigerians bought
into the “farewell to poverty” manifesto, and supported the “Hope ‘93”campaign.
Nigerians united, spoke with one voice and voted Moshood Kashimawo Olawale
Abiola as President. Nigerians showed the world what was possible and gave a
rare glimpse into a very bright future. Alas, that beautifully envisioned
future was dashed by the Ibrahim Babangida-led military junta, and introduced
the political lexicon of ‘annulment’ into Nigeria’s politics. That illegal
annulling of the people’s will, created a protracted crisis that threatened the
very existence of the nation.
As the struggle for the actualisation of June 12
persisted, some people abandoned the cause, whilst some kept the faith and hope
alive! The June 12 struggle eventually led to the ouster of the military and
culminated in a democratic government in 1999. Unfortunately, Nigeria has
strayed from the path to attaining its full potential, and 20 years on would be
a good time for a reflective analysis.
Admittedly, the damage done to Nigeria has been accumulative, and the same
question has persisted: how do you solve a problem like Nigeria?
Identifying a problem is an integral component of
problem-solving. However, the stark reality is that Nigeria’s complexities are
sui generis and may probably outlive the Buhari government. Expecting an
embedded and mutated culture of corruption to be fixed by just one man is
stretching it a bit too far. It must be a collective process.
As far back as 1984, the legal luminary and
foremost human rights activist Gani Fawehinmi had highlighted the limitations
of attempting to obliterate corruption in public places through the ordinary
legal system, and recommended a swift system that would deal a lethal blow to
the corruption menace.
Ironically, President Buhari was the military head
of state then, and one of the reasons for his emergence was to tackle
corruption under a Shagari government – an administration the late Chief
Obafemi Awolowo once described as profligate. A couple of years later, the late
sage recommended that the evil dominating Nigerian hearts across all private
and public spheres must be exorcised to instil social order. Unfortunately,
three decades later, the situation has gotten aggressively worse.
To put matters in contemporary perspective, it's
estimated that over $380b had been looted by previous Nigerian governments. For
example, during the 2013 Davos Summit, the then UK Prime Minister David Cameron
stated that hundreds of billions Nigeria made during the preceding year (2012),
surpassed sub-Saharan Africa’s total net aid, and dwarfed the impact of any
foreign aid. Contextually, Nigeria’s problem is mismanagement of its
resources.
Evidently, Nigeria has a monumental looting
problem. Though looting exists in other countries as well, Nigeria’s looting is
self-pernicious to the point of incredulity. The double whammy of natural
resource and revenue spoliation, and widespread infrastructural deficit will
stifle any country’s economic development.
Up until President Buhari’s first tenure in 2015, governance in Nigeria could
easily be characterised as a vicious cycle of wanton and unprecedented looting,
with one administration trying to outdo its predecessor. The sad reality is
that things are going to get even worse if certain critical steps aren’t taken
to rectify the baneful situation.
The Buhari led administration cannot afford to fail; else it will bear the
brunt of the cumulative failures of previous governments. It wouldn’t matter
much that previous governments caused the systemic rot, because majority of the
populace are deeply concerned about getting solutions to various issues
plaguing the system.
President Muhammadu Buhari is on his legacy lap. His enduring legacy wouldn’t
focus on his time as an army commander, military head of state, governor of the
north-east region, minister of petroleum or Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF)
chairman, but what he achieved during his second coming as president,
particularly the latter part.
Since his taking over the mantle, there have been
debates about President Buhari’s actual style of leadership. His government has
focused on security, economy and corruption. I daresay that the manifestation
of corruption is the nexus that affects the other two critical areas. In
dealing with corruption, the President has tried to be democratic by following
the due legal process, however frustrating.
The bill for the establishment of special courts for corruption cases is a good
example. It would be self-inflicting for the members of the national assembly
to pass any anti-corruption bill that will be inimical to their acquired
lifestyles. Those benefiting from the appurtenances of corruption will be the
last to accede to a self-indicting law.
I am of the opinion that if systemic impediments
will not allow corruption be dealt with accordingly, the president will have to
use his executive power to bypass any institutional encumbrances that will
truncate efforts and make the corruption war a farce. This is why a section of society
believes if Nigeria’s latest democratic expedition isn’t yielding the desired
results with regards to aborting the corruption malaise, may be a quasi
benevolent dictatorship approach might get things moving along – at least until
some stability is attained. If only wishes were horses!
The toxic corruption practiced in Nigeria stunts
development and can’t be toyed with. For example, similar drastic measures were
undertaken by the Malaysia leadership during their times of laying the
foundations for aggressive development. If a 93 year old Mahathir Mohamad could
return to power as Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2018 and jail his predecessor,
then surely, a 75 year old Muhammadu Buhari can surely do more. So the excuse
of age is simply what it is – an excuse.
The so called war against corruption should go beyond rhetoric and theatrics
and summarily convict all those found guilty. The options for looters should be
unambiguous – execution, jail or exile (EJE). The changes must be swingeing and
incisive. Only those who genuinely want to serve should come forward for public
service. No economic policy, however well-intended will fully materialise if
the corruption pitfall subsists. It’s like trying to save water with a leaking
receptacle.
Nigeria must develop to a level where everybody is held accountable and nobody
is bigger than the law – no sacred cows. In essence, fighting corruption must
be total!
The embezzlement of public funds by public officials and advance fee fraud must
carry life imprisonment or death penalty, depending on the gravity of the
crime.
Armed robbery, kidnapping, human trafficking and
drug trafficking should carry the death penalty.
Judicial officers found guilty of obstructing
justice, takings bribes or found to be in connivance with criminals must be
stripped of their right to practice the law profession and cannot have any
dealings with government for life.
Police officers found guilty of abating corruption
must be executed. Law enforcement officers must only comprise those with high
ethical standards.
All children and grandchildren of all those
convicted should forfeit any proceeds from the criminal activities of their
parents and barred from holding any public office nor have any dealings with
government for life.
All court proceedings must be televised for the
public to witness all convicts got a fair trial.
The civil service must be streamlined, particularly
the non-productive sectors that aren’t generating any revenues. A lot of civil
servants have no business in public service.
Critically, the education curriculum must be revamped for a more innovation and
production oriented template. Research and development must be integral to the
educational ecosystem. So many recommendations available!
President Buhari must realise he doesn’t need sycophantic yes-men around him,
but those who will always tell him the truth – actual situation of things
across the nation. As the President prepares to name his new cabinet, it must
be emphasized that some of the outgoing ministers have been woeful to say the
least. At this juncture, Nigeria doesn’t need any recycled politicians with
nothing innovative to offer, neither does it need political jobbers and
opportunists. The world is moving at a very fast pace, and Nigeria is blessed
with abundant talent that can compete internationally. Basically, there’s no
need for square pegs in round holes. President Buhari’s new cabinet must be so
stellar even his ardent critics will have no choice but to give him a second
chance!
It’s time for new beginnings. Nigeria can indeed
get it right.
Happy June 12 Democracy Day and God Bless!
© M.B.O 2019
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