Democracy Day celebration is a global phenomenon. Apart from the International Day of Democracy celebrated around the world on 15 September each year to espouse the principles and values of democracy, every country that claims to be democratic equally has a special day for such celebration. Nonetheless, how the celebration is done varies from country to country depending on their understanding and interpretation of the theory and praxis of democracy.

Democracy Day is a day set aside to celebrate the values that make democracy the most appealing form of government such as rule of law, freedom of expression, respect for human rights, respect for minority rights, constitutionalism and the principle of holding periodic election. It is the conscious effort to deepen democracy by reviewing the degree an incumbent democratic government has approximated those values in nature and character.

Evidentially speaking, there are ample evidence in extant literature that suggests the higher the degree to which a country approximates those values, the higher the democratic dividends enjoyed by her citizens. There is also a connection between those values with human capital development and progress in all facets of human endeavour.

Conversely, the lower the degree to which a country approximates those values, the higher the degree to which it is embedded in crises of nation building. Our country, Nigeria is the leading example in this regard. The Boko Haram insurgency, the Niger Delta crisis, the herdsmen-farm crisis, banditry in the Northwest, kidnapping across the country and so on are all consequences of bad governance.

In the past 21 years, it would seem like we have been dancing to the famous reggae rthym: " one step forward, two steps backward" in the name of democracy because our democratic practices are not congruent with democratic ethos and values. Our brand of democracy is a basket case. It's disheartening that those one would have expected to deepen the democratic culture in the polity are the ones leading the pact in frustrating every effort in that direction.

Who would have imagined that our democratically elected governors are the ones opposed to financial autonomy for the judiciary and the legislative arms of government? Such opposition is antithetical to the separation of power principles, an integral part democratic governance. In fact, without these two arms of government functioning independently in all ramifications at all levels of governance, any claim to democracy is a ruse.

From my observation, since 1999 to date, every democracy day speech by either our presidents or governors have been lustreless due to the fact that none has ever encapsulated the essence of celebrating democracy as a form of government. What they normally emphasize is the transition from military to civilian rule; the consequential progress in national development enhanced by such transition and the symbolic value accorded to MKO Abiola within the context of June 12, 1993 Presidential election. No attempt is usually made to gauge the extent to which democratic values have been entrenched in the country. These are the pristine values many people laboured, struggled and sacrificed their lives for after the annulment of June 12, 1993 general election by the military junta.

Democracy Day provides us the opportunity to reflect on these values and how the government at the national and subnational levels have been able to create a conducive environment for citizens to participate in the political process of decision making unencumbered. It is about individual liberty, group/ individual rights, respect for court judgement, freedom of the press, the sacrosanctity of the ballot and equitable distribution of wealth in the society. These are what we should be celebrating on democracy day and not routine government obligation to her citizens like provision of infrastructure and other socioeconomic activities that an undemocratic government could also provide effortlessly.

Felix Akpan, PhD.
Unical

What’s up bro! Don’t have access to the email I registered this ID with. Hit me your digits here

castrokins:
Democracy Day celebration is a global phenomenon. Apart from the International Day of Democracy celebrated around the world on 15 September each year to espouse the principles and values of democracy, every country that claims to be democratic equally has a special day for such celebration. Nonetheless, how the celebration is done varies from country to country depending on their understanding and interpretation of the theory and praxis of democracy
Democracy Day is a day set aside to celebrate the values that make democracy the most appealing form of government such as rule of law, freedom of expression, respect for human rights, respect for minority rights, constitutionalism and the principle of holding periodic election. It is the conscious effort to deepen democracy by reviewing the degree an incumbent democratic government has approximated those values in nature and character.

Evidentially speaking, there are ample evidence in extant literature that suggests the higher the degree to which a country approximates those values, the higher the democratic dividends enjoyed by her citizens. There is also a connection between those values with human capital development and progress in all facets of human endeavour.

Conversely, the lower the degree to which a country approximates those values, the higher the degree to which it is embedded in crises of nation building. Our country, Nigeria is the leading example in this regard. The Boko Haram insurgency, the Niger Delta crisis, the herdsmen-farm crisis, banditry in the Northwest, kidnapping across the country and so on are all consequences of bad governance.

In the past 21 years, it would seem like we have been dancing to the famous reggae rthym: " one step forward, two steps backward" in the name of democracy because our democratic practices are not congruent with democratic ethos and values. Our brand of democracy is a basket case. It's disheartening that those one would have expected to deepen the democratic culture in the polity are the ones leading the pact in frustrating every effort in that direction.

Who would have imagined that our democratically elected governors are the ones opposed to financial autonomy for the judiciary and the legislative arms of government? Such opposition is antithetical to the separation of power principles, an integral part democratic governance. In fact, without these two arms of government functioning independently in all ramifications at all levels of governance, any claim to democracy is a ruse.

From my observation, since 1999 to date, every democracy day speech by either our presidents or governors have been lustreless due to the fact that none has ever encapsulated the essence of celebrating democracy as a form of government. What they normally emphasize is the transition from military to civilian rule; the consequential progress in national development enhanced by such transition and the symbolic value accorded to MKO Abiola within the context of June 12, 1993 Presidential election. No attempt is usually made to gauge the extent to which democratic values have been entrenched in the country. These are the pristine values many people laboured, struggled and sacrificed their lives for after the annulment of June 12, 1993 general election by the military junta.

Democracy Day provides us the opportunity to reflect on these values and how the government at the national and subnational levels have been able to create a conducive environment for citizens to participate in the political process of decision making unencumbered. It is about individual liberty, group/ individual rights, respect for court judgement, freedom of the press, the sacrosanctity of the ballot and equitable distribution of wealth in the society. These are what we should be celebrating on democracy day and not routine government obligation to her citizens like provision of infrastructure and other socioeconomic activities that an undemocratic government could also provide effortlessly.

Felix Akpan, PhD.
Unical

Zero 8 Zero, Ita, 6, Iba, Ition, 7, Zero, Eight, One

ololo12:
What’s up bro! Don’t have access to the email I registered this ID with. Hit me your digits here

The Essence is to reinforce the Tenets of DEMOCRACY regularly in our Minds.

orisa37:
The Essence is to reinforce the Tenets of DEMOCRACY regularly in our Minds.

CHRISTIAN DEFINITION ONLY.

DEMOCRACY IS THE WAY OF A PEOPLE OR A GROUP OF THEM THAT ENSURES. THAT THE LIGHT. GOODNESS AND LIFE OF GOD IN EVERY INDIVIDUAL ARE EXERCISED ONE HUNDRED PERCENT WITHOUT PROHIBITION INHIBITION AND SANCTIONS FROM ANY OF THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD.

From Orunto27