Nigeria has replaced tyrannical dictatorship with tyrannical democracy says
Ugonna Utulor as he congratulates Nigerians on their 21 years of uninterrupted democracy,
...Calls for collective effort in deepening our democracy.

The leader of the Movement for Deepening Democracy, Comrade Ugonna Utulor, has extended his congratulations to all Nigerians upon Nigeria's hitting of the unprecedented milestone of 21 years of uninterrupted democracy. He noted that this giant stride is a firm testament to Nigerians aspirations to have a government that is truly of the people, run by the people themselves and transacts only for the people.

In a statement made available to the press, Comrade Ugonna said that 21 years of democracy in Nigeria, a country that had for years been bedevilled by military juntas and inhumane dictatorships, called for celebration.

"The eyes of our nation had bled sour from the tyranny meted by the most wicked of dictators and it wasn't surprising that when we finally transitioned to democracy 21 years ago our compatriots heaved a sigh of relief. Luckily, we didn't totally move from frying pan to fire as democracy in Nigeria has brought much gains least of which is the freedom we all now enjoy: the freedom of expression.

"On democracy day, Nigerians have a reason to be glad. In theory, we can now have some say in the direction our nation should take. In theory we can elect who we want.

"Yet caution must be taken. In dwelling on theories and theories alone, ours has become a pseudo-democracy. Tyrannical dictatorship has been replaced by tyrannical democracy. Our leaders have not exhibited the true spirit of democracy albeit we claim to be a democracy. Anyone who accidentally gets to power in Nigeria immediately arrogates to himself the power of God, deciding to be a ruler instead of a leader, deciding the fate of his "subjects" without listening to their objective voices. From local government chairmen, to state governors, the president and other public officials, Nigeria's democracy is today populated by minidictators that need to be brought back to the path of democratic righteousness.

"What is worse is that Nigeria's democracy seems to be waning as the years stroll by. It appears that the Nigeria of 2008 was more democratic than the Nigeria of 2018 and the Nigeria of 2010 more democratic than the Nigeria of 2020. The gains of our first few years have now been eroded by our lust for power and the Nigerian curse to only care about the next election instead of the next generation.

"Whereas dissenting voices were accommodated in times past, dissenting voices today are either in prison or in exile. While Agba Jalingo spent almost half a year in prison, Reno Omokri is still in exile. While Ohimai Amaize is in exile, Rotimi Jolayemi rots in prison.

"Social media has been strangulated and free speech is under threat. It's true that we have the freedom of speech but what of freedom after speech?

"And then where is the dividends of our democracy? Where are the promised palliatives or those who are not in government are now undeserving infidels? While poverty keeps getting worse (the Nigerians of 1999 were on average not as poor as the Nigerians of 2019), inequality increases with reckless abandon. People now move to politics as an escape from unemployment rather than as an avenue to contribute to societal development.

"Elections are still marred by violence and election rigging is now a thing of pride. Corruption remains rife and eye services paid to the fight of graft.

"Our society is broken. Nothing seems to be working. Ours have become a nation of blind people led by blind people. For while I'm tempted to argue that we're not all blind, it would amount to blindness to not see that it's a blind electorate that elects a blind leader.

"Looking at Nigeria's democracy, it won't be difficult to see a 21 year old still sulking his mother's milk.

"As we celebrate, we must open our eyes, we -leaders and followers alike - must snapped out of this blindness and deepen our democracy."

Ugonna Utulor is the Convener of Movement for Deepening Democracy (MoveDem).

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