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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Buhari's Democratic Rule: A Euphemism For Dictatorship. (320 Views)
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Buhari's Democratic Rule: A Euphemism For Dictatorship. by Trump101: 10:15am On May 30, 2018 |
BUHARI'S DEMOCRATIC RULE: A EUPHEMISM FOR DICTATORSHIP By Nnaemeka U Trump Media Freelancer Strategic And Critical Thinker Ordinarily, a shift from the worst form of government; military despotism, to a widely adjudged best political system; democracy, was exhilarating to most Nigerians. It elicited high expectations from people, but somewhat confused expectations. From democracy the people expected all that were absent from military rule. The last set of military leaders (Buhari inclusive) were disgustingly and nauseatingly corrupt. They ran Nigeria aground, ruined every public institution and brought untold hardship on the people. So, from democracy, the people anticipated a resuscitation of the country's institutions left in comatose by military rule, the revamping of the economy and a conspicuously palpable improvement in their quality of life. Ordinarily, democracy should offer much more than these mundane. As I sojourn in the political space of Nigeria from 2015 through 2018, I can't help but feel very concerned about the future of the enclave called Nigeria. My fear and frustrations are grounded in what appears to be a trend in this country under Buhari, which is founded on what I would describe as "eroded or jagged democracy", whereby virtually all the core democratic principles have been so corroded, impaired and replaced with dictatorial tendencies and principles. Our hard earned democracy has been under a serious threat since 2015 till date. Nigeria is fast drifting from a sane, free and responsible clime, into one that is putting the whole future of the land into a land of insane, irresponsible and uncertain future. This sad sociopolitical reality of today, which is clearly produced by incompetent/clueless presidency vis-a-vis the gullible few that still supports him, is at the heart of the violence that is killing Nigerians in endless bloodbath everyday, and one that is making Nigeria to be identified, from every corner in this planet as the most violent country on the planet earth with the most unruly leader. Virtually, it is a non -state situation tantamount to a state of nature in which people generally satisfy their immoral impulses and often act as they please instead of as they ought. Where is Nigeria headed to with this awful sociopolitical, and anti democratic environment? Isn't this outright dictatorship that Nigeria has so much fought against and avoided for so long and which is now being unconsciously entertained? It can reasonably be argued that freedom of expression is one of the vital dividend of democracy. But is there truly democracy when they is hunger and excruciating poverty in Nigeria? As the saying goes, "the root of bondage is poverty and the root of poverty is ignorance". Invariably, no one bottled up by the fetters of poverty and ignorance can exercise his right of free speech. It means nothing to a man whose self confidence, dignity or sense of worth is so totally eroded by poverty and its attendant deprivations and humiliation or to the ignorant that can neither read nor write. Therefore, the foundation for freedom of expression is liberty from poverty and ignorance. It goes then to mean therefore that there is no dividend of democracy under the watch of Buhari, because Buhari has remained scornful of the will and aspirations of the people. Sadly, a few dissent voices has decided to play party politics by wickedly supporting Buhari and his anti democratic body language and practices, rather than defending democratic principles and practices which of course ought to be the first parameter and guiding principle and compass for governance. I am certainly displeased and will keep writing strong worded articles against this anti people cum anti democratic government of Buhari which has brought nothing but pain, division along ethno religious line, excruciating hunger and poverty, unemployment, non stop bloodshed, institutionalized corruption with impunity, political persecution of dissent voices and many other anti democratic principles/practices. Fact is that I am mad as hell. I'd like to think that Nigeria is still a Democratic Republic! Well folks, time there say are changing and certainly not in a good way. Don't people read or follow the news beyond NTA, Channels or AIT infotainment? Never mind answering that question. Its rhetorical. I designate the process of political change that has taken place in Nigeria since 1999 as "democratization". This term refers to something that is ongoing and as used here, signifies a transition away from a dictatorial rule. It however reflects political scientists' evaluation that changes in government while important do not always rise to the level of full fledged democracy. This view accords with those of analysts such as William Minter who accessed the struggle for democracy in Nigerias still unresolved. While it is true that democracy is by definition works in progress -- journeys as opposed to final destinations. Some democracy like Nigerias under Buhari appears to be farther from their destination than others. Under the immediate past administration of president Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerias democracy was actually on the right cause, though not necessarily a full fledged democracy but it was at least a thriving one. What we saw in 2015 was a transfer of power from a democrat to a very corrupt retired military General, which has left the country's rocked by official corruption, poor economic performance, human rights abuses, political persecution, tribalism, bigotry, insecurity, bloodshed on daily basis, stealing public funds with the highest impunity, jingoism and austerity measures against oppositions. The drop that led to the spillover from the glass, as far as am concerned, can be traced to 29th May, 2015 when General Muhammad Buhari (Rtd) a dictator and a man with unquenchable penchant and flare for bloodshed and corruption was sworn in as Nigerias president. Buhari gave room to all the numerous anti democratic and anti social cleavages which has garnered much presidential backing and has been reinforced and magnified by executive rascality through Buhari's ethno-religious bigotry. What is left of Nigeria's democracy has been stampeded since Buhari came to power. Since coming to power, Buhari has grossly failed to adjust his leadership style to the tenets and imperatives of civil democratic rule. Democratic consideration is in the parlance of conflict management, "the process of progressive elimination or minimization of force and coercion, extreme repression, and related negative conflict management techniques antithetical to democracy. No such minimization or elimination of force or coerciveness has occurred under Buhari. Additionally, as his frosty relationship with the National Assembly illustrates, General Buhari tends to command, rather than conciliate or compromise. If democratic consideration as some political analysts may argue, occurs when democracy becomes so broadly and profoundly legitimate and so habitually practiced and observed that it is very unlikely to break down, then the present situation in Nigeria under Buhari is nowhere near democratic consolidation. I was very perceptive back then in 2015 when I foresaw these problems, remarking upon the questionable fairness of 2015 election, Buhari's military background, his pro northern body language, genocidal instinct, religious extremism, his tendencies for usurpation/breech of constitutional processes, and his wicked demeanor for repression. The temptation to rely primarily on repression rather than dialogue is still a major setback and threat to democratic consideration within the purview of Buhari's administration. Personally, I hate it, and it makes me go crazy when people (few anyways) thought of Buhari as a man with integrity. I laugh most derisively at the mention of that. History books has taught me that dictators, prefers a delicate touch, they look for titles that has dignity, historical resonance and universal meaning; and you can agree with me based on realities on ground that the so called man of integrity ascribed to Buhari is nothing but a dictatorial gimmicks and hoax aimed at hacking the psyche of the few gullible Nigerians. Given the lack of courage and /or patriotism on the side of the National Assembly, Buhari has made the constitution a mere piece of paper. Buhari has decided and proven that the constitution holds no water and does not apply to his presidency. For instance, Buhari's unilateral approval of $487 million for the fraudulent purchase of Tucano war plane from USA ditching the approval of the National Assembly, several disobedience to court orders, refusal to heed to the recommendations of the senate on Magu (the ceremonial EFCC Boss), even after indicting reports from the office of the NSA etc. If all these does not qualify Buhari as an anti democratic agent and a dictator nothing will. In conclusion, of course we already know what our problems are and the causal element behind the upheavals and turbulence in Nigeria. Let us not forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy is not president, governors, senators and government officials but the voters of this country. The pertinent question therefore is, are you a voter? Have you secured your voter card? We should however know that our voter card graduates us from being mere followers to being part and parcel of government and governance. It is also important to be conscious of the fact that untouched democracy and freedom will fade in the sun of inactivity and inattention. There is great personal meaning to democracy, and it is under our care to advocate it, protect it, and embrace it. We can not be too selfish or partisan when it comes to preservation of democracy. We need to look to the future. What do we want our communities, our youths, our government, and our mission to look like in 100years from now? What do we want to be remembered for? It is not just democracy for today. It is democracy for the future. To preserve it, we need to think ahead and work for future generations. Democracy takes all generations. For younger generation, history needs to be learned and understood in other to gain the context of why our participation is necessary. Youthfulness isn't an excuse to shed responsibility, just as security isn't a reason to squander it. Being a youth requires a dutiful spirit of responsibility, hard choices and work. It is therefore time to be decisive and to make the hard choice of preserving and defending our young democracy from comatose, and 2019 offers us the best opportunity. By Nnaemeka U Trump Media Freelancer Strategic And Critical Thinker
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