As it is currently, the system of government that is mostly practiced across the world is democracy, which simply means a government where power is in the hands of the people. This is the system of government practiced in my nation, Nigeria. But the question is, has it been effective, and are the citizens truly satisfied with it?
Okay. I have a neighbour who always insists on the need to bring back the autocratic system of government because, according to him, that is the kind of leadership structure that suits Nigeria at the moment. This neighbour always makes reference to the days of old when autocracy was practiced, and he claims that Nigeria progressed better back then since he was mature enough and aware of the system during that period.
"But this current democratic system is the right one in a modern era like this, especially when it comes to carrying the people along," I would always argue in defense of democracy.
"Yes, in terms of definition and standard, democracy is better, but what has democracy done? Ohh, it seems you don’t know how Nigeria was during the days of autocracy. In the days of Abacha, no one dared to question him, and no country could even think of playing war tricks with Nigeria because he would respond instantly with force, without consulting anyone!"
His elaborate reasons would always leave me speechless.
But the truth is, democracy is indeed better when implemented perfectly. However, as it stands in my country, the democracy we practice today resembles autocracy because the power that is supposed to belong to the people in a democratic system is now concentrated in the hands of one man and his team.
What do I mean? Lately, the people have little or no say in selecting their leaders. The system has been manipulated in such a way that those in power determine who becomes the president or holds any other political position. This has become so bad that a good number of people, including me, have lost interest in democracy because it is no longer what it is meant to be.
I no longer have the enthusiasm to go out and exercise my civic right to vote because, frankly, there is no point—the votes don’t count. Am I painting my country black? No! I’m saying the absolute truth. Only a small number of people still believe that votes truly count in Nigeria.
Leaving elections aside, have the voices of the people been taken into consideration by the leaders since the adoption of democracy, where ideally, the people are supposed to have a say?
With the help of social media in this digital age, it may look as though the voices of the people are being heard, but that’s not the reality. The people’s cries may rise and shake the system a little, but the wall surrounding those in power is just too thick and strong—nothing seems able to break through or change them.
What do I mean? As things stand, everyone knows that nothing is working. Everyone knows that the electoral commission has been compromised. Everyone knows that top leaders are deeply corrupt and are not ready to listen to the people. We have raised our voices, we have protested, we have made noise—but what has been done?
Has there been any impeachment? Absolutely nothing.
General elections are coming up next year, and we already know how everything will play out, even though the people do not want it to happen that way.
Is this how democracy is supposed to operate? A big NO!
So, which other form of government should we adopt?
To me, I won’t lie—since the democracy we currently practice is beginning to look like autocracy, we might as well switch back to autocracy and at least know what we are practicing, rather than pretending to be civilized under a flawed democracy when, in reality, we are very far from it.
Let me stop here before I trash more of what's happening
Thanks for reading.
This is my entry to Week 181, Edition 01 of the Weekly Featured contest in Hive Learners Community
Image used is mine