Today marks Democracy Day in Nigeria, a nation that has experienced twenty-four years of uninterrupted civil rule. As Nigeria observes this significant day, it is crucial to reflect on the true state of the nation. The past twenty-four years have revealed a harsh reality: the ideals of democracy have not been fully realized. Instead, the country has been beset by poor leadership, rampant corruption, and stagnant economic development.
Celebrating democracy in this context seems both misguided and illusory. Rather than bringing prosperity and development, these years have often brought hardship to the people. The ideal of democracy as "government of the people, by the people, for the people" appears to be a distant dream in the Nigerian context.
At the time of independence, Nigeria held immense potential. Sadly, this promise has been hijacked and diminished by a political leadership that often operates more like a criminal enterprise. Many Nigerians now question whether the country was truly ready for independence. The lack of economic development starkly symbolizes a political leadership that is not only inept but also incapable of steering the nation toward progress. Driven by greed, these leaders fail to demonstrate patriotism or meet the demands of a modern nation-state.
Moral principles are glaringly absent among Nigeria's political leaders. Their insatiable greed leads them to steal from the poor, failing to serve the people, create an egalitarian society, or be guided by ethical values. They have neglected to teach the youth the virtues of love, dignity, and honesty. Instead, their corrupt behavior undermines justice and equity.
This failure has had devastating consequences for Nigeria's youth. Many are fleeing the country in search of better opportunities, risking their lives in the harsh desert sun of the Sahara or in the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Those who remain witness the greed, looting, and pillaging by their leaders, with limited opportunities for economic empowerment. This desperate situation drives some into internet scams, fraud, prostitution, banditry, and kidnapping as means of survival.
The Nigerian populace, burdened by endemic corruption, has become despondent and timid, unable to hold their leaders accountable. The pervasive corruption stifles any hope for a better future, leaving the people feeling helpless and voiceless.
For democracy to truly take root and flourish in Nigeria, there must be a fundamental shift in the political culture and a renewed commitment to serving the people. Only then can the ideals of democracy be realized, bringing true prosperity and development to the nation.
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