Nigerian democracy, like the Nigerian nation, is one of the most interesting phenomenon in the world.  To a very great extent, the interest, fear and anxiety shown by some nations towards Nigeria may not be unconnected with the nation’s vast resources in both human and material. However, the use of these resources has left so many unanswered questions. It is the misuse of the nation’s resources that led to the many military interventions in our national life. The dark years of military rule and the sad development they caused made it necessary for Nigerians to clamour for democracy.  Nigerians like most citizens elsewhere, have come to realize that the worst civilian regime is better than the best military regime because whatever the limitations, under a civil rule, they have the opportunity to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Since the return of civil rule in 1999, Nigerians, through the actions and utterances of their politicians, have come to “understand”, in clear terms, the concept, “Dividends of Democracy”. Because democracy promises periodic elections as opposed to sporadic selection which characterizes other forms of non-democratic governance, people seeking for power under a democratic setting are expected to get the mandate of those they wish to lead through elections. Democracy, as we all know, is about horse-trading (you give something for something). Consequently, the electorate give out their votes, for good governance.

It is this good governance that the Nigerian political class in general and some politicians to be specific, have continued to mistake for dividends of democracy. To this category of people, the social responsibility of government, which include the provision of water, electricity, good roads, medical services and security is what constitute dividends of democracy!.

These classes have erroneously mistook the people’s right to good governance for privilege.

The social responsibility of government is basically what these people mistook for dividends of democracy.

The much talked about dividends of democracy that seems to be about how many roads and hospitals have been built, how many communities have water and electricity, and a host of other things, is a diversion from what democracy is and should be. As a matter of fact, the welfare and safety of the citizenry which form the basis for the existence of any government are basically, what good governance should be about and so cannot be regarded as dividends of democracy because in real terms they are not. If we insist on referring to such as dividends of democracy, then socialism which preaches full employment, nutritious food and free medical care, provision of security and infrastructural facilities, and in fact, good welfare packages for the citizenry, would lay more credible claim to democracy than democracy as we know it today.

As a matter of fact, the safety and welfare of the citizenry which the provision of the aforementioned services guarantee is what makes the difference between good governance and bad one. History, as we are all aware, is replete with situation where even dictatorial leaders strive to provide the essentials of life to their citizens. If we insist on referring to this as dividends of democracy, then we can as well say there is democracy under a dictatorial regime. This, to be blunt, is preposterous.

It is indeed, unfortunate that Nigeria’s political class work solely for their self-aggrandizement.  They indulge in propaganda and media hype to deceive the unsuspecting masses on the concept of dividends of democracy. Truth is, the provision of such essentials of life as water, good roads, health facilities and sound education are the major reason why any government is elected in the first place. Mistaking these for dividends of democracy smacks of either lack of understanding of the concept or a deliberate attempt to deceive the electorate.

Dividends of democracy include free and vibrant press, free and fair election, respect for human rights, due process, rule of law, an enterprising civil society, freedom of religion, thought and speech. Within this ambience, one can say without any fear of contradiction that Nigeria is yet to practice true democracy. Democracy, it must be emphasized, have no meaning without freedom and there is no freedom without the press. To put it candidly therefore, any talk about the dividends of democracy must address the issues of press freedom and encourage the promotion of an enterprising civil society as obtains in the western world.

The way to assess the level of freedom in the polity is to see how far and how much it is reflected in the media. Democracy must be promoted along the lines of freedom which makes the difference between enslavement and liberation. The masses must be allowed to freely decide who lead them, should be allowed to participate on issues that affect their lives and concern them directly and above all, elections must be free and fair as well as being periodic. Anything short of this cannot (and should not) be referred to as democracy.

Regrettably, these have continued to elude the Nigerian masses. Freedom of speech has been tampered with. Security of lives and property is not guaranteed, there is no enterprising civil society and no vibrant press. The battle for the freedom of information bill still rages on. In the face of all this, one cannot help but marvel at the much talked about dividends of democracy.

Save our children

Worldwide, the future of any nation, society and even at family levels, lies in their ability to carefully plan and cater for the overall needs of children so as to prepare them for leadership role in future. The plight of the child, especially in Nigeria, has continued to remain a case of serious concern. In fact, the manner in which those in authority toy with the Nigerian child’s future calls for a change of heart that is if really the nation is prepared to secure its future and groom leaders that would continue to steer its ship of development.

Seat of Power is therefore using this forum to make a passionate appeal to both teachers and the Nigerian government to sheath their swords in their current face-off and allow our children to return to classes. We believe the issues raised by the teachers were serious and so tenable. This then calls for the need for both parties to find a middle course, because anything short of this would affect the future of our children. Please save the Nigerian child!