'Our democracy is choking. It is about being asphyxiated and yet we who brought this democracy with our sweat and tears are doing nothing to recover it.' Nigeria Democracy
Hitherto, May 29 has been recognised as such since our return to constitutional rule in 1999 after many years of autocratic rule. June 12, 1993 appeared to be a new dawn in Nigeria’s quest for credible elections and democratic governance. On that day Nigerians trooped out enthusiastically in their millions to the polls to elect their President.
He was picked up and put in detention where he died in very mysterious circumstances. Even with his death and the nonchalance of three elected Presidents June 12 refused to die. It remained a big bone in the nation’s throat. Then last year, Buhari revisited the matter in a decision that I described as a “master stroke.” Some others thought he was playing politics because his government was getting unpopular.
He also donated hundreds of Korans and Bibles to various religious bodies in the country. His running mate Kingibe was also not a fanatical Muslim. That combination of two broadminded individuals made it easy for Nigerians to believe that if elected, they will manage Nigeria’s religious diversity with great aplomb and evenhandedness. Since the election was annulled Nigerians lost the opportunity to see if they would have lived up to their expectation.
Take a look at our rich rigging culture, the candidate imposition; the godfatherism menace; the unfair, unorthodox impeachments in hotels at midnight; the huge sums of money paid for impeachment and for the passage of obnoxious bills; the absenteeism by parliamentarians; the huge sums of money paid for so-called oversight functions; the monies given and received for budget padding and for commanding positions in various parliaments, state and national.
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