Stirrings of Democracy
How many of us read the Nigerian Mid term report? Well i have not. Have you? Today the government through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) highlights a little of its own achievements in the past 2 (or is it three depending on who is counting the) years.
Of course you can draw your own conclusions.
Warm regards and have a happy week.
Tomorrow I will share my experience last week with the airlines from Madrid to Dusseldorf.
Of course you can draw your own conclusions.
Warm regards and have a happy week.
Tomorrow I will share my experience last week with the airlines from Madrid to Dusseldorf.
Anyim Pius Anyim
It is now two weeks since we all celebrated Democracy Day. Within the
intervening period, Nigerians have had time to digest and react to the
Mid-Term Review Report, through which the government of President
Goodluck Jonathan gave us an update on policy and governance issues
under the Transformation Agenda. We recall that on May 29, the president
said: “Democracy is as much a result as it is a process and today’s
event invites us to reflect on both the processes and results of our
thriving democracy. There is evidence of stronger democratic
institutions. There is even stronger evidence of an evolving culture of
better consultation, better stakeholder input and better mass buy-in on
all major issues of national development.”
These observations, which some people may not have noted on the busy
day of the celebrations, are incontrovertible. Now, more than ever
before, I reaffirm it, because it is within the context of making our
democracy a reality for the generality of Nigerians that the
administration made a Mid-Term Performance Review Report a central
marker of Democracy Day proceedings. The primary purpose was to enable
everyone see the progress made so far in implementing the policies,
programmes and projects encapsulated in the Transformation Agenda (2011 –
2015). The facts are evident: the economy has recorded an impressive
GDP growth and that we surpassed our annual targets in eight out of the
14 broad areas of the Transformation Agenda. Also, it is partly because
57.14% of the sectoral targets were met that Nigeria’ global ranking by
GDP has improved from the 44th position in 2010, to the 36th. Thus the
question is: Should a government, in the name of a false sense of
modesty, deny its achievements? Our answer is no. On the other hand,
should we downplay our challenges and give Nigerians the impression that
all of the nation’s problems are now solved? Again, the answer is no.
The introduction of substance into the national Democracy Day
celebrations was a deliberately designed intervention, with the aim of
raising public awareness about the activities of government. It was our
hope that in giving full account of our stewardship in the last two
years, and that by acknowledging our present challenges, we can also
explain the responsibilities and expectations that these times demand
from the government, and indeed every citizen, so that we can all unite
to build the society of our dreams. From the feedbacks that we have
received, I am gratified by the transformational effect of this move.
Many commentators have observed that that will henceforth set the tone
for all subsequent Democracy Day celebrations in Nigeria. It is very
likely that May 29 will henceforth be both a day dedicated to
reflections on the meaning, gains and sustainability of democracy and an
occasion to, in the words of Mr. President, “think about how to sustain
our collective resolve to face the future together as one people,
guided by the principles of consultation, mutual respect and equity.
That is the only way to gird our loins for the distance ahead, because
democracy is more of a journey across wide terrains than an arrival at
some secluded waterhole.”
In writing on this matter so soon after the Democracy Day celebrations,
my view is that the time has come for us to see the need to engage
every (citizen) in a conversation for national development. This will
enable us separate cheap propaganda and political mischief from the real
issues of governance. It will also enable us distinguish between the
fundamentals of democracy and the incidentals to democracy. These are
the two components of democracy, or the pillars without which the taste
of democracy is lost.
The fundamental principles of democracy include personal liberties,
popular participation, respect for the individuals’ rights, provision of
equal opportunities, majority rule and minority rights, etc.; and these
principles of democracy find expression in basic human freedoms.
Protection and enjoyment of these freedoms guarantee human worth, which
inspires the confidence to not only to aim at the optimum in life but
also the agility to protest and defend abuses of personal rights and
social interests. The incidentals to democracy, on the other hand, are
what are popularly referred to as democracy dividends in this clime. In
ordinary language this means the good products of democracy. It is
important to emphasise that this product of democracy can only be good
if it is indeed, a product of a free society with popular participation.
It must not only be verifiable but must also be subject to satisfaction
of the populace.
The policy thrust of this administration therefore is not only to
deliver democracy dividends but also to make it good in accordance with
the best principles of democracy. This explains the emphasis on
consultation and dialogue, process and procedure, clear and need-driven
projects conception, open and competitive procurement process, equitable
distribution of social amenities, diligent planning and execution
strategies, checks and balances, rule of law; and extensive expansion of
civil space together with respect for citizens’ right, among others.
This is the only way we can “take democracy beyond the mere form and
focus on the content, which is actually a way of life that combines good
governance with economic efficiency”.
The important point I wish to make here is that we should henceforth
bear in mind that May 29 should no longer be just a day dedicated to a
series of ceremonies in remembrance of the fact that an elected
government emerged in Nigeria after nearly two decades of military rule.
We should now have it at the back of our mind that it is, as President
Jonathan said: “A day for stock taking and for the renewal of vows by
governments at all levels to deliver good governance to Nigerians: that
is the reason the administration is taking accountability and service
delivery beyond the conventional idea of just enumerating specific
projects. We wish to encourage Nigerians to also focus on the importance
of a forward looking service environment created by sound policies and
governance strategies. It is no accident that the Mid-Term Report has
clear targets, unambiguous performance indicators and all of which are
under close monitoring via Ministerial Performance Scorecards.”
On May 29, the president said: “As a people, our goal in deepening our
collective democratic experience is to build a community of equals,
wherein everyone has responsibility for the wellbeing of all. Our life
together imposes on us all the responsibility of being protectors and
guarantors of our joint patrimony. The leader must protect the
democratic space, allow the people to exercise the duty of making free
and informed choices and then protect and safeguard those choices, in
order to build a lasting democratic community.”
I reaffirm that assertion, but with a caveat. The caveat is that it is the duty of every Nigerian to make suggestions on how to move the country forward. It is also the duty of every Nigerian to join the discussion and help to monitor the performance of government, as this is a democratic right and duty of every citizen in relation to any elected government.
I reaffirm that assertion, but with a caveat. The caveat is that it is the duty of every Nigerian to make suggestions on how to move the country forward. It is also the duty of every Nigerian to join the discussion and help to monitor the performance of government, as this is a democratic right and duty of every citizen in relation to any elected government.
When on May 29 President Jonathan said: “Our commitment and our resolve
to ensure that the practice of democracy goes beyond the claim to free
choice, to include the overarching roles of credible persons and
institutions that do not manage the political space as predators”, he
was pointing to the fact that only such people and institutions can
guarantee the political space for all. But creating such people and such
institutions requires the cooperation of all. They must enjoy the
goodwill and partnership of all Nigerians, if they are to succeed.
Our current national challenges are part of the overall process of our
political evolution and national development. There is no need to
present them as unheard-of tales, or overdramatize the occasional odd
twists of social cohesion, as the challenges are already being overcome.
The president used the occasion of the last Democracy Day celebrations
to remind us all: “Democracy thrives amidst the greatest disagreements,
spurring dialogue and eventually galvanising consensus and a common
focus.” He also used the occasion to remind us that we have to
consistently reaffirm our oneness, as we did when we flagged off “100
years of togetherness as a united political entity defined by
discussion, consultation, mutual respect and commitment”.
Looking at our national history, our shared experiences, our profile in
the world, the progressive deepening of our democratic experience and
the greater maturity of our democratic institutions and practices, I can
boldly say today, as the president said on May 29: “We are on the final
stretch to eventual democratic stability and maturity, as evidenced by
the greater synergy between the institutions of state. This is a tribute
to our collective resolve, because those who fought for our current
democracy can look back today and say: ‘yes, we have fought a good fight
and there is something to show for it’.”
This government was under no pressure, or compulsion, to give a
Mid-Term Report. The Democracy Day celebrations would still have been
considered a success without it. But what would have been the content of
that event? What would the administration have offered Nigerians,
beyond speeches and ceremonies? What would have given them an anchor to
hold on to and march along with government as partners, if Mr. President
did not present a report card and invite them to assess him and make
suggestions; being that they are actually the masters we are in office
to serve? Government gave a Mid-Term Report because it was felt that the
time had come to say “enough of empty ceremonies and let us stand
before those who gave us this job with a performance record they can
evaluate and comment upon”. This is what will deepen and strengthen our
democracy.
When, also on that day, the president said: “It is therefore in the
spirit of our democratic enterprise that I am making the public
presentation of the mid-term report of my transformation agenda, knowing
that I have to give account of my stewardship to my fellow citizens,
who elected me their president”, he spoke from his heart. When he said:
“This is my own modest way of contributing to the deepening of our
democratic experience, as I stand before you in the service of our
fatherland”, he was also telling Nigerians that anyone of us could one
day stand in this same position because he is standing there today
through the inconceivable Grace of God.
My fellow Nigerians, let the conversation on our nationhood, the dividends of democracy and the march to a greater Nigeria continue. As we constantly take stock and move forward, I urge you all never to forget that we remain one nation with a great promise; even as that is being fulfilled before our very eyes.
My fellow Nigerians, let the conversation on our nationhood, the dividends of democracy and the march to a greater Nigeria continue. As we constantly take stock and move forward, I urge you all never to forget that we remain one nation with a great promise; even as that is being fulfilled before our very eyes.
*Senator Anyim is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
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