Democracy Day in Nigeria is a public holiday that celebrates democracy in the country. It marks the day when civilian rule was reinstated in Nigeria in 1999, following years of military dictatorship. This significant day symbolizes the country’s commitment to democratic governance, freedom, and the rule of law.
By Wenona Russ
Yesterday, I learned that June 12 is Democracy Day is a national Nigerian holiday.
As I went out about my day, I noticed that the atmosphere was different. I wasn’t aware of why until I asked someone “What’s going on?”
“Today is Democracy Day…”
[Democracy Day in Nigeria is a public holiday that celebrates democracy in the country. It marks the day when civilian rule was reinstated in Nigeria in 1999, following years of military dictatorship. This significant day symbolizes the country’s commitment to democratic governance, freedom, and the rule of law.]
The man continued “…the people are NOT happy…..they are protesting. People are suffering.
They are fed up with this government…”
Another man exclaimed, “This is not a democracy. This is a DEMOCRAZY!” Then the two men continued the conversation in their native tongue.
I smiled and walked away thinking…What IS a DEMOCRACY?
I know that America is SUPPOSED to be the international template of what a democracy is. America has historically lauded itself as the government that the entire world should template, cut and paste and follow.
But as a woman of African descent born on American soil, and also having been heavily involved in politics, voter registration campaigns, having attended victory balls of mayors in New Orleans,
LA, it became apparent to me that there were many elemental flaws within the American ‘democratic’ government.
Later on in life, I became a member of a Democratic Progressive Party in the South in America. I was raised to be a member of the Democratic Party and historically voted as a Democrat in every election since 1987 as a Democrat…until the election where Joe Biden was placed in office. I opted out of the electoral process after being totally disgusted with the hypocrisy of the American political system.
Most African Americans voted Democratic historically and were programmed to believe that the Democratic Party was ‘for’ black people. After participating in the system for 30 years, I later on learned that the American Democratic party was the most racist, most oppressive, and cold blooded party in America!
I won’t get into American political history here…but suffice it to say…the American Democratic party is NOT for black people!
Can I make that assessment and conclusion about how effective a democracy is here in Nigeria?
No. I am still learning.
Let’s learn together….What IS a democracy?
A Democracy is a system of government where the people are supposed to have the FINAL say about decisions their governments make. The people SPEAK through the electoral process. NO rules, regulations, changes in governmental processes, decisions that affect not ONLY the elite but the everyday person who punches in to work are made without the vote – or representation of EACH American.
I even saw hundreds of bills that were elected upon that determined if the name of post offices across the country could be RENAMED. That’s right! Even a name change of a governmental building housing a governmental agency had to be elected upon!
According to Briggz5d from Ngbuzz.com, in a Democracy, there must be:
- Freedom of the Press
- Free and Fair Elections
- Civil Liberty
- Rule of law
- Judiciary Independence
Now I will not comment on whether or not NIGERIA (or the Nigerian government rather) has met all these requirements in order to run a TRUE democracy for the people. I will just present the facts of what a democracy is here and compare it to what’s in the U.S.
YOU get to decide what’s what….is that fair?
It is my understanding that Nigeria became a democracy after military law and rule was ousted in 1999 in favor of attempting democratic rule. The ravages suffered in Nigeria after her independence in 1960 were horrendous human rights violations and unspeakable horrors on humanity. Military rule was very hard to endure in those 40 years…but you must wonder if today’s ‘democracy/democrazy’ is any more effective than its alternative?
Let’s study more-what are some similarities and differences in the democracies?
Nigerian democracy and American democracy share some fundamental principles but also have significant differences due to their unique historical, cultural, and institutional contexts. Some key differences between Nigerian democracy and American democracy are:
Presidential vs. Presidential-Parliamentary System: United States operates under a presidential system where the president serves as both the head of state and government. In contrast, Nigeria has a presidential-parliamentary system, where the president serves as the head of state, and the prime minister serves as the head of government in parliamentary systems like the UK.
Federalism vs. Unitary System: Nigeria is a federal republic, meaning it is composed of states with significant powers delegated to them by the constitution. In contrast, the United States operates under a federal system where power is shared between the federal government and individual states, with the U.S. Constitution serving as the supreme law of the land.
Electoral Process: While both countries hold regular elections, there are differences in their electoral processes. For example, Nigeria’s electoral system may face challenges such as voter intimidation, irregularities, and violence, whereas the United States has well-established electoral processes overseen by independent bodies. However, the U.S. has their share of voter fraud and tampering as well. So even the electoral process there is faulty, misleading and criminal.
Political Parties: Nigeria has a multi-party system with several political parties competing for power. In contrast, the United States has a two-party system dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties, although third parties also exist. The Independent and Libertarian parties are a couple of political parties available to Americans dissatisfied with bipartisan politrix.
Rule of Law and Governance: Both countries uphold the rule of law, but Nigeria faces challenges such as corruption, weak institutions, and lack of accountability, which can undermine governance and the rule of law. I must point out that the American legal system enforces laws against blacks harshly and dismisses other laws that are committed by and benefit white people.
Civil Liberties and Human Rights: While both countries guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms, the protection and enforcement of civil liberties and human rights may vary. Nigeria faces challenges such as restrictions on freedom of speech, press, and assembly. While the United States has a long-standing IMAGE of protecting these rights, the U.S. in certain parts of the country also faces challenges in the area of protecting the human rights of its citizens of African descent.
Ethnic and Cultural Diversity: Nigeria is a diverse country with various ethnic and cultural groups, which can influence politics and governance. In contrast, the United States is also diverse but has a different historical context and approach to managing diversity. It suppresses the history of certain cultures while idolizing others.
Nigeria and the U.S. share some seemingly failures in the democratic processes. Let’s look even closer at what some Nigerians have called Democrazy (YOUR word, not mine!)
Nigerian democracy (democrazy) refers to the system of government practiced in Nigeria, which is a federal republic with a presidential system. It operates under a democratic framework characterized by the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
Nigerian democracy has several characteristics:
Federalism: Nigeria is divided into states and has a federal system of government where powers are shared between the federal government and the states.
Presidential System: Nigeria has a president who serves as the head of state and government. The president is elected through a national election and serves a maximum of two four-year terms.
Multiparty System: Nigeria has a multi-party system with several political parties competing for power in elections at both the federal and state levels.
Rule of Law: The Nigerian constitution is the supreme law of the land, and all citizens, including government officials, are subject to its provisions. The rule of law is intended to ensure that all individuals and institutions operate within the framework of established laws and regulations.
Civil Liberties: Nigerian democracy guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. Citizens have the right to participate in political processes, express their opinions, and hold their government accountable.
Elections: Regular, free, and fair elections are held at various levels of government to elect representatives and leaders. These elections are overseen by independent electoral bodies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Checks and Balances: Nigerian democracy incorporates mechanisms for checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. This includes oversight by the legislature, an independent judiciary, and an active civil society.
Despite these features, Nigerian democracy continues to face stubborn challenges such as corruption, electoral fraud, ethnic and religious tensions, insecurity, lack of leadership that cares FOR the people and TRULY represents the best interest OF THE PEOPLE. Efforts to strengthen democracy in Nigeria often focus on addressing these challenges and promoting good governance, accountability, and inclusivity.
Democracy sounded like a good idea to America. To Britain. To Pakistan. And to Nigeria.
Yet if you do your research, you will find that invariably democracy HAS wholesale failed many governments and peoples. One has to wonder….WHY?
It is my belief that the IDEA of democracy is wonderful. And if there ever exists a country that would allow THE PEOPLE to GOVERN themselves accordingly (as we used to say in the Southern Baptist Churches in the Deep South in the U.S.), we may just be surprised to find a place that knows HOW to govern themselves, HOW to implement fair and enforceable laws, HOW to create economic opportunities FOR ALL in a sustainable manner, HOW to effectively police themselves, HOW to educate their own, HOW to make affordable, quality healthcare available to ALL-NOT just a select few that can afford airfare and hotel fees….
The problem with democracies is NOT the democracies themselves. It is the greed and lust for money and power by a select few who believe they are somehow better than the people they are supposed to serve. Worldwide, there exist selfish men who lust for absolute control over the masses, for wealth. So these elite HIJACK democracies…turning a good idea into a democrazy!
In a TRUE democracy, NO ONE is persecuted because of the color of their skin, their tribe, their religion, their class, their neighborhood, their DNA, their education. EVERYONE is considered truly EQUAL and are afforded basic human rights, per international law. Those rights INCLUDE: Right to peacefully protest, Right to vote without intimidation, suppression, tampering or violence and Right to clean water
In America AND in Nigeria, these three things are continuously NOT upheld. In some parts of America, black children are drinking and bathing in lead contaminated water that is making them ill! Jackson Mississippi and Flint Michigan are two cities where they have been taken to court for poisoning KIDS with water.
I visited a village outside of Ebonyi State where the kids lived in huts and didn’t have access to clean water-it broke my heart!
Protests are suppressed in Nigeria and in the U.S. – especially protests where WE are involved!
And elections are …well, you know!
These things are NOT supposed to exist in a TRUE democracy.
So I understand why some people question democracies…it seems to be a failed experiment worldwide…