A DEMOCRACY dominated by malicious individuals – ethnic and religious bigots, thugs, drug dealers, corrupt officials, cultists, exam cheaters, robbers, kidnappers, bandits, haters and others – can’t produce good leaders, as it’s a numbers game. When the righteous hold power, it doesn’t benefit the wicked. Peter Nwankwo aptly described the political arena as “devils’ playground.” This toxic environment has led to widespread voter apathy, causing many decent people to distance themselves from politics, believing it’s only for the unscrupulous.
As people accustomed to darkness, we seem to struggle with the light, which is why we often welcome individuals with questionable backgrounds and histories of exploitation. Our democracy lacks soul because we prioritise narrow interests over the greater good. We live for our families, tribes, or religions, rather than for a unified national purpose. When we step out into the public sphere, we often abandon our personal values, adopting an “it’s me or my tribe or nothing” mentality.
A society seeking progressive change cannot condone divisive campaigns that exploit ethnicity, fear, and misinformation. Our transactional politics has unleashed a torrent of evil in pursuit of victory at any cost. It’s time to interrogate our dysfunctional democracy and the façade of Nigerian unity. We’re collectively burdened by our actions, rapidly shedding values, good habits, and noble character.
In our nation, intellectuals are often silenced, allowing criminals, opportunists, and fools to dominate the discourse. This has led to a crisis of trust, where genuine leaders are met with scepticism due to the past exploitation of intellectuals for personal gain. It’s time for a paradigm shift in our political landscape, embracing progressive thinking and a new order. We’ve endured darkness long enough; now it’s time for growth and transformation.
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Darkness can’t last forever; the time for change has come. Many Nigerians have been battered by the actions of the political elites, leaving them disillusioned, discouraged, and hopeless. To the black race, democracy seems more like a curse than a liberating force. We’re trapped, like caged birds singing without purpose, because we played a role in constructing our own cage.
Change starts with us. Our leaders aren’t extra-terrestrial beings; they’re products of our own society. We elect or select them from among ourselves. A society that celebrates fraudulent success, condones cheating, and prioritises tribal loyalty over truth can’t expect good governance. To demand change, we must first embody the values we seek. Until we value integrity, hard work, and meritocracy, we’ll continue to reap what we’ve sown.
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A society seeking progressive change cannot condone divisive campaigns that exploit ethnicity, fear, and misinformation. Our transactional politics has unleashed a torrent of evil in pursuit of victory at any cost. It’s time to interrogate our dysfunctional democracy and the façade of Nigerian unity. We’re collectively burdened by our actions, rapidly shedding values, good habits, and noble character.
Having acknowledged that we’re the architects of our own problems, we can take a positive detour. Since humans create problems, we can also solve them. Progress lies in addressing challenges. Consider the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), which once threatened American democracy with its racist ideology. Similarly, Nigeria’s greatest challenge to democracy was once military rule, but now it’s the citizens themselves. Democracy is a continuous process, not a one-time event. Unlike others, we seem to struggle uniquely with this concept.
Looking at history, Hitler’s Nazi regime exemplified the dangers of dictatorship, where one party controlled the government, economy, media, and culture. Yet, the world learned from this and moved forward. Likewise, the KKK’s influence waned as America confronted its darkness and progressed.
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Those who once funded activists’ efforts – from printing materials to amplifying their voices – are now seen as barriers to social justice. Our elites have repeatedly betrayed people of good conscience, leaving many understandably wary and sceptical.
Democracy faces challenges globally, but it’s crucial to remember that the most vital component is the ordinary citizen who speaks out against injustice. Change begins with the people who demand it. Rather than merely criticising politicians or lamenting poor governance, we must take action. We should look beyond our local and tribal affiliations to identify and support good leaders. As the Obidient Movement aptly puts it, “A New Nigeria Is Possible”. Let’s harness this collective desire for change and work towards a better future.
Even established Western democracies are facing challenges, with some experiencing alarming declines. It’s troubling to see the US government threatening universities over students’ free speech rights. Economic policy disputes and tariffs are also concerning. However, what’s particularly disturbing is the White House’s attempt to strong-arm law firms into dropping certain clients. This behaviour undermines the fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law, and it’s uncharacteristic of the America we know.
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We can’t easily forget pivotal moments like the January 6, 2021, insurrection in the US, where armed protesters stormed the legislature, incited by a demagogic president. Similarly, in Brazil, supporters of Jair Bolsonaro violently rejected his election defeat, calling for military intervention and vandalising the presidential palace, Supreme Court, and Congress. These incidents highlight the dangers of unchecked extremism and the importance of protecting democratic institutions.
Democracy faces challenges globally, but it’s crucial to remember that the most vital component is the ordinary citizen who speaks out against injustice. Change begins with the people who demand it. Rather than merely criticising politicians or lamenting poor governance, we must take action. We should look beyond our local and tribal affiliations to identify and support good leaders. As the Obidient Movement aptly puts it, “A New Nigeria Is Possible”. Let’s harness this collective desire for change and work towards a better future.
Amechi, a democracy activist and public intellectual, writes from Lagos.
