The face of democracy- the Nigerian Youth perspective; a paper presented by Comrade Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, President, Benin National Congress. 1ST Nov 2012.
Protocol: with diligent loyalty to the almighty God, I wish to humbly salute the chairman or moderator of this august ceremony; my invaluable appreciation to the President and members of the Edo Patriotic Youth Forum, for the sustenance of this unique dialogue; my esteemed regards to Government officials and Guests here present, including Palace chiefs, vibrant soldiers of the press, ladies and gentlemen.
Introduction.
I am elated to stand before you in honor to God and humanity, while I sojourn on this socio-academic exercise, which will hopefully refresh our knowledge of contemporary issues and democratic aspirations, depending on the side of the divide that we belong. The right to freedom of thoughts; the right to freedom of assembly; are inalienable rights guaranteed by the sovereign constitutions of nations as well as international organizations, but how we exercise these rights could make or mar our aspirations. Let's exercise our rights to freedom of communication in this august gathering.
This paper aspires a moderate school of thought's conceptualization and elucidation of democracy as desirable and enduring social and political order in human society; it further analyze Nigeria's democratic experiment; and finally, it examines the prospects of Nigeria's democracy in the light of the attitudinal response of Nigerian youths to the challenges of positive change.
Conceptual appreciation of Democracy
The most common definition of democracy is that offered by President Abraham Lincoln of the United States “democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people”. As beautiful as this definition appear, an inquiry may be carried out in future to determine who constitutes 'the people' in the Lincoln's perspective of democracy; this is so because, when the oppressive elites seats in the comfort of their dining tables and glamorous palace to appropriate the collective destiny or aspirations of the mass of our communities, they claim to be exercising their rights to lead on behalf of the mass of our people; who are in actual fact, the victims of elites oppression and subjugation.
The Webster's encyclopedic dictionary of the English language defines 'democracy' thus “a theory of government which, in its purest form, holds that the state should be controlled by all the people, each sharing equally in privileges, duties, and responsibilities and each participating in person in the government, as in the city-state of ancient Greece. In practice, control is vested in elective officers as representatives who may be upheld or removed by the people”. It is an indelible fact that 'democracy' as it is appreciated in English language, both as a form of government or as a social order, is an ancient Greece culture. In fact, the English explorers who were on an imperialist voyage to Greece many centuries ago observed that 'demos' (majority of people) and 'kratein' (form of administration) were some of the phraseologies freely deployed in their lingua franca. So the explorers were amazed that the Greek people believe that to have a stable and enduring society, the objects and form of governance MUST be influenced or determined by the majority or mass of the people.
Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean Jaque Rosseau, the famous 17th century English philosophers underlined the essence of democracy, in their inquisition into man's existentialism, or the hypothetical condition that preceded governments. They theorized the 'social contract' doctrine of political struggle which form a basis of evaluation of performance of any elected office holder which may be rewarded with re-election or outright withdrawal of the sovereign mandate at the polls. They canvassed human life, in 'the state of nature' “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”. In that stage, there was no law and order, it was every man to himself, might was right, or 'to your tent oh Israel'. In the accounts of Hobbes, Locke and Rosseau, after many centuries, men came together to reason that their collective interests would be better protected if they agreed to work together. That good and evil could be highlighted if they agreed to vest their collective sovereignty to persons they trust can represent them. They agreed to frame the 'social contract' – which was an encapsulation of the common needs and aspirations of a people in a given constituency; as well as the basic rights and duties of the 'government' and the 'governed'. Hobbes, Locke and Rosseau conclude that the achievements of the famous social contract propelled man's migration from 'the state of nature' to the 'state of society'.
As a political scientist, I make bold as to say that there is no alternative to democracy, based on my appreciation of existentialism; class struggles and industrial revolution. With the seeming catastrophic performances of some state Governors since 1999; opinion polls clearly shows that military regimes are unwanted in out polity. This is because, the people can champion the impeachment or recall of their representatives in a democracy; it is a taboo to do so in a military administration. In fact, it is treasonable to nurse such an idea in the mind, talk-less of attempting to execute it.
A portrait view of Nigeria's democratic experiment
The point of departure is to note that Nigeria is a nation-state political entity, comprising of hundreds of ethnic nationalities – with their inherent history, traditions, customs, aspirations or struggles; colonized and almagamated by the Great Britain, during its imperialist expedition in Africa. Probably, if the ethnic nationalities were allowed to flourish without colonial annexations or conquests, the Hausa-Fulani Empire, Benin nation, the Yoruba nation been the dominant groups would have perhaps emerged independent states, which may float a federation. Following the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 by Sir Lord Luggard, the colonial administration attempted to forge a form of representative government that will vest some political powers in the hands of elected representatives, as opposed to the indirect rule system which in my view was a hide and seek system or to put it succinctly, it was a political 'boju-boju' (masquerade).
Several colonial administrators improved on the Luggard's administrative concept, and it culminated to the 1956 election, 1958 elections and the 1960 parliamentary Government of Nigeria led by Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, while Sir Nnamdi Azikiwe was Head of State or ceremonial Head. Sadly, the political class displayed whap-indisposition to national integration and the pursuit of love and unity, hence, the military struck in 1966. The cumulative effects of military adventurism in Nigeria's polity is aptly captured by the Benin maxim of “okuo imose” (war is not a beautify scene). Gen. Yakubu Gowon, whose military junta overthrew the Aguiyi Ironsi military regime in a very bloody military coup, was not spared of the troubles of political hurricane that engulfed Nigeria. The Civil war which lasted between 1966 and 1970 brought to rubbles the fortunes of Nigeria's founding fathers, genocide where allegedly inflicted on the Igbo people (the book entitled 'Once upon a country' by Prof. Chinue Achebe is one of the many accounts of the civil war brouhaha); the Midwest region was not spared by both the Federal and Biafran troops. Millions of future leaders and women were killed, economic industries completely demolished; worst hit by the pre and post civil war tendencies is the spirit of unity. Till date, the Yoruba Man is hardly trusted by the Igbo Man, the Hausa Man hardly believes in the integration of the Igbo man and vice versa. Sometimes, minorities from the Southern part of Nigeria are victims of mistaken- identities during palpable violence amongst the tripod (Hausa, Igbo &Yoruba).
Nigerian Youths and our Experiment with Positive Change.
One of the symptoms of a nation that seeks greatness in the future, is a constructive and inclusive program for youth development; founded on Education of youths (with emphasis on science and technology), Agriculture (with emphasis on mechanized implements and highly endowed man-power), leadership re-orientation (with emphasis on patriotic service to the constituents by public office holders), transparency and accountability (with emphasis on poverty, inequality and unemployment reduction).
Sir Dudley Siars – a development economist defined development as the drastic reduction in three critical social maladies, namely - “poverty unemployment and inequality”. You may agree with me that since 1999, no significant progress has been made with respect to forensic assessment of the state of our nation; against the backdrop of trillions of naira that accrues from crude oil transactions, as well as federal Inland Revenue receipts. That is not to say that some States and Local Governments have not made significant impact, but at the National level, what we have is a far cry from our expectations.
“Khe owa yi me, ere eken ne oro ….” is a Benin maxim which underlines human capital development, with respect to proficient man-power development of our youths. The mere convocation of training workshops by some Agencies of Government for youths, where the youths are trained for three months, without standard impacts assessments to examine the wherewithal of the so called knowledge provider, or the disposition of youths to such a training, and examining whether the host-agency has the capacity to provide future supports to the trainees in order to make a healthy living – that can guarantee their independence, and ability for the beneficiaries to be of reasonable support to society in future; is in my humble opinion a political jamboree. In the last thirteen years, we have witnessed several economic programs aimlessly directed to Nigerian youths. Independent researchers have shown, for instance, that the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) of the Obasanjo's administration could not achieve 25% of its targeted goals, partly because the conceptual framework did not consider the views and aspirations of our youths. States and the 774 Local Government Councils were decreed to set up a complimentary agency called State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS) and Local Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LEEDS), today, there is nothing on ground to show the positive impacts of that scheme which gulp billions of tax payer's monies. Perhaps the scheme was enunciated to raise the ego of the so called expatriates who were very visible during the Obasanjo regime.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria is by all standards an institution, which was created by an act of parliament many decades ago, to foster unity of Nigerian youths. I doubt if it (NYCN) is consulted before policies and programs are enunciated and executed at the federal level. That aside, Nigerian youths have not shown substantial sagacity in strengthening visions and programs of Nigeria. One is not saying that exemplary youth leaders do not exist in hundreds across the country, but I am saying that forging a bond of cooperation within ourselves, in a manner that will make us capable of organizing a 7 day workshop to mirror the state of affairs of our nation, and articulate a forward-looking program or vision for Nigeria. Given my ethnic nationalist disposition, I will support such novel ideas that will provide alternative social, economic and political policy framework for our nation. Thereafter, we can storm the National Assembly in hundreds and thousands to present perspective of visionary governance. If they reject it, which they are most likely to do because of superiority complex, generations yet unborn will be kind enough to appreciate us.
Until I read Sir (Dr.) Denis Osadebey's epilog on Midwest creation and Government, I didn't know that my late father, Arch Bishop Edokpolo forfeited his salaries and allowance while he served as Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry in Midwest region. That is history for you. I am sure that if a sound survey on good governance is carried out today with respect to Governors of Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi will feature prominently for their unique engagements with the people and available resources.
As youths, we should see ourselves as agents of positive change. I know that the cost of living is high, but we will be better if we jettison the attitudes of hailing and sermonizing politicians who have shown lack of good leadership culture. The idea of chorusing ''er are loyal not to rhioya'' tend to stimulate the euphemism of slave-master relationship. We are being unfair to ourselves, because, some of these people are mere opportunists who lack democratic credentials, or humility to serve our people.
I must note that it is a great pleasure interfacing with fellow youths of Edo extraction in a forum of this nature; yet, the motivation to render this humanitarian gesture is borne out of the germane objectives of the Edo Youth Patriotic Forum which I have noticed in the last two years. So, I will oblige members and executives of this group the task of intelligentsia presentation of this nature in future, at the shortest notice, if you sustain the ideals of patriotism, embellished in selflessness and constructive engagement with state and non-state-actors.
Thanks for listening. I wish you pleasant journeys to your destinations.