Democracy the world over, is touted as the best form of government. In the so called civilized world, the virtues of democracy is widely pronounced and acknowledged. The same cannot be said of African countries where the reverse is the case. Nigeria is tagged the giant of Africa where the best of everything is expected to emerge by virtue of its leadership role.
Shockingly it remains a big disappointment to its numerous admirers. Here democracy is applauded as one of the best things that is working in the country although in reverse order. It is lamentable that democracy is not working well anywhere in Africa. Some have canvassed for its scrapping because of the actions of the politicians.
Those who frown against democracy do so because it is not home grown, is manipulative, elitist, expensive and monetized leaving it in the hands of a few rich politicians. Reflecting on the gains of democratic rules in the country in relation to time, value generated, resources expended etc it is not in doubt that civilian administrations may not have fared well.
In truth, there may not be issues with democracy since it can be proven to work elsewhere. What may constrain it from working here is obviously the behavior of politicians which is grossly antithetical to development. Most of our politicians who call the shots are barely educated, lack skills, have no conscience, and are selfish, corrupt and generally lacking in skills.
They promise much and deliver little thereby shortchanging the electorate. In the country as at present, there is a general feeling of despondency, inertia and hopelessness. Political parties that have enjoyed power have failed to deliver. Politicians are merely satisfying their selfish ambitions switching parties just to actualize their needs.
There is hardly any of the existing parties that is different from the other in terms of their offerings. This is the reason people are craving for alternative options that can help redeem the situation for Nigeria.
This is the reason the attempt at the formation of a mega political party by a group of Nigerians is seen as a welcome development. The National Consultative Forum is expected to be launched next month. Those who are impressed with the effort reckon with the quality of personalities who are anchoring the association. The names behind them which represent the cream of tested professionals and technocrat give hope that redemption may come the way of Nigerians.
It is not in doubt that if government is run with appropriate business models or strategies, value will be delivered because when people replicate what successful people do, they are bound to achieve positive impacts. One of the major challenges politicians pose is that they are not keen in doing the right things that will bring the right results.
Prof. Pat Utomi, former President of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed; and Prof Kingsley Moghalu. Dr Obadiah Mailafia, Prof Mrs Remi Sonaiya, Comrade Issa Aremu; Prof Chidi Odinkalu; Chief Precious Elekima; Arch Ezekiel Nya-Etok; Dr Tanko Yunusa and Peter Ameh among other professionals are credible persons that can hold their ground in terms of quality leadership.
Some of them by virtue of shallow pockets have not been able to provide the wherewithal to push them to the corridors of power which money bag politicians believe is their birth right today. Politics in our country has been turned into a cash and carry thing where money bags sponsor whoever they can control.
News Echo wishes to commend the group for rising to the occasion to present themselves as a credible alternative. Nigeria is in need of good leadership which the late prolific writer Chinua Achebe much earlier identified as the greatest problem of Nigeria. Nigerians have been making waves in other lands holding key strategic positions at all levels of governance.
In the present government of Joe Biden as America’s president some Nigerians have also been appointed. It is an irony that while Nigerians are doing great in other lands in terms of leadership, the country down home drifts into an abyss like a rudderless ship. It is disturbing that the great potentials the Creator blessed the nation with is not realized.
Some of the policy directions as enunciated by the group which essentially touches on the fundamental issues of the country such as retooling the self-contradicting constitution among others give hope that something good is still possible in Nigeria. We urge the group to remain focused and not allow itself to be distracted.
