June 12 and the Irony of Democracy in Nigeria

The 12th of June every year is celebrated as democracy day in Nigeria. This day was chosen because of events that occurred on June 12 1993 when the military government of Ibrahim Babaginda refused to announce the winner of the 1993 presidential election which was won by billionaire and philanthropist M.K.O Abiola. The military ruler, citing ‘electoral malpractice’ annulled the election. This move did not go down well with Nigerians most especially southerners and this led to subsequent riots and protests led by labor unions and journalists in many cities with the Nigerian security apparatus unleashing mayhem on the protesters.

The annulment and subsequent manhandling of protesters was met with disgust by the international community. The United States of America led other countries to condemn these actions and penalties in the form of stopping access to aid for the military government was enacted. This day has been identified by scholars as the day that democracy was not only hijacked but ridiculed. The 1993 election has been declared so far as the only free and fair election the Nigerian electoral system has ever organized. This assertion holds water due to the manner in which the election was held. The Open ballot system was introduced and this curbed any form of electoral malpractice that might occur.

Ever since, political office holders have decided to commemorate June 12 as a day for not only remembering the events that occurred in 1993, but also celebrate the life of M.K.O Abiola and uphold the democratic principles the late politician upholds. It was however not surprising when President Muhammed Buhari in 2018 decided to choose June 12 as a day Nigerian will henceforth celebrate Democracy day nationally.

Recent events in Nigeria have made many of us question if truly this government is practicing democracy. Recently in my history class while discussing J.J Rousseau social contracts, my students asked me why their government teacher still refers to Nigeria as a democratic state when all indications points to dictatorship. The students, who are 10th graders mentioned the killings that occurred on the 20th of October 2020, how soldiers shot at peaceful protesters at Lekki. They questioned the legality of using armed soldiers against civilians who were only ‘armed’ with placards, carrying out their fundamental human rights. The use of force and extortions carried out by the police and other security operatives, the clamp down on labor union protests, the threat to the lives of journalists and their subsequent disappearances and most recently, the ban on social media platform Twitter which one of my student’s termed as ‘gross violation of freedom of speech’. The move by the government to build an internet firewall with the support of China in order to censor and control what Nigerians put online is a modern day ‘Iron curtain’.

These observations raised by my students, made me ponder over the current political situations faced by average Nigerians every day. When are we going to truly enjoy the dividends of democracy?

Interestingly, the ‘celebration’ of democracy day this year (2021) was marred by a series of protests in different parts of the country over issues of insecurity, corruption, bad governance, violation of human rights and constitutional review. Meanwhile, as citizens plan to embark on these protests, states began to enact curfews and lockdowns while soldiers and police officers began to walk around the streets of cities, ensuring that people stay at home and not embark on any form of protests. Despite these heavy presence of security personnel, people still defied these orders and came out to protest. In a truly democratic society, the government does not have the right to bar peaceful protests that will be embarked upon by the citizenry because it is their fundamental right as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. Added to this, the demands of young people who led these protests is not too much for any well-meaning governments not to attend to.

Transparency and accountability, which are salient features of democracy are the lens through which citizens measure the progress of people in government. And because the people are the foundation of democracy, they have every right to criticize those they elected into office. Tolerance which is a basic feature of democracy should be unashamedly imbibed by political office holders, if they cannot handle criticism, they can respectfully leave the office and let others that can do a better job take over.

The brazen manner in which political office holders disregard the principles of democracy and recent events in the country continues to underscore the irrelevance of the commemoration of June 12. Although it is meant to serve as a reminder of how democratic we are as a political entity, with such celebrations laced with exaggerated speeches which are shrouded with empty promises. When in fact, it is a stark reminder of Nigeria’s reality, a reality of failed leadership. Where the people serve the governor rather than the other way round.

There is still time to salvage what is left of the pieces. Nigeria has capable people who can rise to leadership positions and steer this country to reach its full potential through democratic principles. The problem is not democracy, but the people who practices democracy and weaken its tenets for their selfish interests. If democracy can be practiced right, Nigerians will enjoy its dividends, June 12 will be more meaningful and the labors of our heroes will not be in vain.

 @Hammed Kolade