Posted on my facebook group on October 19, 2009, at 2:04 PM
Two party electoral system: way forward in a democratic Federal Republic of Nigeria?
This sounds familiar!! Nigerians have heard of two-party system before especially during the SDP/NRC tenure. Other ones before this might have been more efficient like the AG/NPC but it was more ethnic/region based. There are great democrats like Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo among few others, whose vision exceed the boundaries of a party but reaches to the doorstep of a common man in a country called Nigeria. His fight for democracy was not partial but a freedom for all.
With the overtaken by military government of perhaps the most cherish-able election in Nigeria, Nigeria has been thrown into shams of every individual right to live: the survival of the fittest, rather than the collective vision to forge ahead as a country that her motto is “unity, peace and progress”. Taking a close look at the recent revelation of misdeeds that led to the cancellation of the election/results, the military are not totally at fault but the civilians who fed with them from the same pot and felt greedy and afraid not to lose the dirt they have swallowed or the ill gotten gains they might have in the future, which is now the past and seemed to be on-going...
When democracy came into place in 1999, Nigerians thought of fair election, genuine democratic system, a system of government that would restore hopes to the lives of people, a practise of government that might have seemed to be long overdone but was patiently waited for. And when it finally came, Nigerians had a mission but the vision was blurred or peradventure lacked. We started with mainly AD/PDP/APP. AD later factionalized into AC, APP became ANPP with different visible factions and even dispute over National Chairman. PDP remained the same in outlook and AC its main opposition.
Let us not forget, when Nigeria attained the democracy of 1999, all the main power brokers, and power mercenaries went for PDP. Even the handpicked or self/caucus-consulted to be “elected” president then, was a fraud. It was the same old military in civilian clothes, and called “rtd...”How far did Olu Falae go? How well was Buhari’s case reached? That is left to that branch of government to decide to themselves in honesty and to the people in service, because every part of the government, every citizen and resident of Nigeria has a role to play in the sustenance of democracy and in progress in Nigeria.
Just like a businessman starting a business without a solid business plan, the political parties in Nigeria went over 40. Are they all agitating for the growth democracy or it is now a business-business? Now I get it! Some of the people who were with the military felt not served on gold by their colleagues that are now in power, so they form opposition. That is opposition in Nigeria in many sectors today. That is the wrong form of opposition to a government. They are equal to Niger Delta militants only that they do not bring out their guns and barrels in the open.
The Ekwueme’s recommendation report on electoral/constitutional reform to the senate and to the people of Nigeria has taken Nigeria into a different field altogether. Now if Nigeria was a businessman, she would say I have a business plan but it has to be well reviewed so as to ensure it does not incorporate mistakes that might have been in existence or not even have a minor fracture, so as to be well productive and efficient in many more and more years to come. It would also serve as a new foot-stone to the upcoming leaders and also to promote justice, equity, fairness and wealth among the people of Nigeria who labour day-in day-out to add positively to the economy and among great many other things.
The report has been delayed but it seems good news might be coming out of it. It has been delayed because the so-called power brokers are consulting and reviewing to see how it is going to benefit them. The delay has brought up Atiku/Buhari/Tinubu alliance. These are people across the country with opposing and collective views yet an alliance. If the mega party is actually formed, it is only party that could defeat PDP, the self-boasted largest party in Africa. Otherwise, AC remains a contender. I am not in for the defeat or win of any party for now, I am in to see a change in the way democracy is being practised and protected in our country, Nigeria. The government should not waste taxpayers money in all the unknown political parties that are not visible to the majority of Nigerians, but to cut the parties to a minimum and after all the experiments we have had with democracy, I believe the country should be ready for the real task now and to live up to their responsibilities.
God be with Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Gabriel Omololu Omowaye writes, for Beryl Group, African News.
No comments:
Post a Comment