28th May 2010
NIGERIA DEMOCRACY AT 11
Eleven years ago Nigerians began a long, narrow, and tortuous journey to constitutional governance after decades of military dictatorship. The hopes and expectations of the nation's founding fathers at Independence on 1st October 1960, have been dashed due to poor leadership that failed to deliver democratic dividends to the citizenry in tandem with the injunction in Section 14 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; that Nigeria shall be a State founded on the principles of democracy and social justice and that the primary purpose of government is security and welfare of the people.
Today, Nigerians commemorate the eleventh year of civil rule as opposed to democratic governance. We are not yet there. Hopefully, in the next Democracy Day we shall have elected representatives of the people through free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
Nigerians, indeed the international community looks up to President Goodluck Jonathan's government to appoint credible and God fearing INEC Board who will provide level playing field for all contestants in the forthcoming general elections. Politicians should imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and adherence to the rule of electoral engagement. This is the only way the people's vote will count in the forthcoming polls.
Suffice it to say that there will be no credible elections in 2011 without genuine electoral reforms and acceptable voter register. CPP urges the National Assembly to expedite action on the Electoral Reform Bill with a view to passing it to law.
The way forward is for Nigerians to observe the rule of law, respect for the Constitution, the due process and the reforms needed in the electoral system. This is the only way we will evolve a responsive and responsible government duly elected by the people. The power of the people to elect or deny election to a government is the only weapon that guarantees a responsible and legitimate government. We do not have it for now.
We are still at the foundation level of democracy. As a leader of a political party, I am dismayed that there is no opposition to PDP. The next party on the line, the ANPP is becoming more of PDP than the PDP itself. It is time we start packaging an alternative platform, a Grand Rainbow Coalition that will wrestle power from the PDP in 2011. All progressives should come together. Progressives Governors should midwife this Grand Rainbow Coalition to send a signal to PDP that it is no longer business as usual. Nation building is a collective responsibility of all citizens. We enjoin eligible voters to elect credible candidates who will deliver democracy dividends.
Nigerians must resist any attempt by self-serving politicians to manipulate, falsify and rig the 2011 polls. We urge politicians to embrace democratic ideals and abhor politics of bitterness and rancor that could abort our emerging democracy.
Barr. Maxi Okwu
National Chairman, Citizens Popular Party
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