"Pace of hope changes for Nigeria's democracy"

Political and administrative drama is shaking up Nigeria’s government, writes Abubakar Umar, 24, a Correspondent from Katsina in Nigeria, who argues the political awakening is an opportunity for positive leadership.

The change of tune in the politics of Nigeria has immensely reshuffled the dancing structure of the key players and the usual path of the democratic practice in the country.

The current happenings in political play indicate that the country is moving towards another direction from its usual and long-practiced system of governance. The alarming question however is: To what path is the country steering? The path of progress, success and democratic development, or the other way round?

For the past few months there has been a kind of political and administrative drama within the government and its agencies, political parties, and other concerned individuals. It has ranged from open letters, unveiling of corrupt practices, political party cross-carpeting, controversy over bills and pressure movements. Could these mean that Nigerians are awake from their long sleep to realize and respond to the existing political reality surrounding them, or could it be part of a great conspiracy geared by interest against the present government?

Even though the latter may have some elements of truth, the former is more realistic as some of the blows are thrown free of any political acceleration other than the exigencies of time, which has awakened the spirit of true democracy within Nigerians. As in the words of Francois Rabelais, a French writer, doctor and a humanist: “it is my feeling that time ripens all things; with time all things are revealed; time is the father of truth.”

The uprising of another strong political party, the All People’s Congress (APC), to stand against the long ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has indeed led to some kind of political rivalry, competition and criticism. To some extent it will pave a way to a healthy democracy as both political parties are trying to show their capability to properly serve the democracy that Nigerians have been longing for over some time.

The reaction of Nigerians to the recent crisis in the aviation sector of the country is indeed a pointer as to how Nigerians are craving for true democracy. Kudos to the whistle-blower about the abuse of office by the former minister of aviation. Kudos to people like Femi Falana, SAN and other concerned Nigerians who refused to blind their sight to the unwarranted action of the former minister. This event was only to be followed again with another discovery of allegations that the former minister falsely claimed to obtain a Masters degree from a U.S university, who equally refuted the claim.

The above facts coupled with so much pressure on the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has seen the former minister put out of office on the 12th February, 2014 together with three other ministers.

Nigerians are however still waiting with keen interest and great suspense over the possible action Mr. President plans to take regarding a whistle blown by the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Ever since the issue of the missing $20 million was unfolded, neither the President nor any of the federal government agencies with appropriate responsibility like the EFCC and ICPC has taken any step to trace the root and the actual status of the fund.

Mr. President in This Day newspaper on 13th February, 2014 was reported to say: “ICPC and EFCC must make Nigerians believe that they are working. I know what you are doing but not everybody knows what you are doing. Ordinarily, these are agencies whose activities are not suppose to be made too loud because you don’t celebrate a situation where you send 100 0r 200 Nigerians to prison.”

I believe Nigerians have every right and are indeed supposed to know the activities of the said agencies with results. That at least will give them peace of mind. So there is no point saying the activities of the above agencies are not supposed to be made too loud, because Nigerians need results.

Perhaps Mr. President should cast his mind as to the trust and confidence Nigerians have in him and equally the promise and oath he has taken to the effect that he will discharge his duties to the best of his ability, faithfully and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That he will not allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct or his official decisions.

This is your call Mr. President! Make Nigerians proud and let them know the kind of leader they have.

photo credit: Commonwealth Secretariat via photopin cc

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About me: I am a Nigerian born and hail from Katsina. I am a lawyer by profession and currently into active legal practice.
I have keen interest in knowing the activities surrounding us both within national and international scenes. I am a member of ‘Taking It Global’ a network of young people working towards tackling global challenges, and presently am a student of the International Institute For Global Leadership (IIGL), an Internet based Leadership Institute.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
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