Democracy thrives on division. The people have to be divided between political contestants. Each contestant therefore finds the sentiments that will guarantee him majority vote.
Since the interest is winning the office for personal gains and not for the good of the country, the division will remain a benefiting tool to advance their own causes.
While one leader is in office, there must of necessity be an opposition to the existing government. This opposition has no other duty than to ensure that the leader loses the majority in the coming election - a four year window.
So every four years since the inception of democracy, our politicians have been sowing into our consciousness the seeds of divisiveness through different means - majorly ethnic and religious lines.
This sort of political instability is not good for any nation. Is this the case under a Monarchy? No. A monarchical system of government enjoys political stability.
Someone pointed out the case of L. K Yew of Singapore. That man ruled for 31 Years.
In China, Only one party decides who becomes the president of China and so the party vision is kept consistent.
These are two countries that have turned their fortune around within the same period that Nigeria got her independence.
Africans must be able to create a system of government that will create the kind of nation that they want based on the understanding of their own uniqueness. Africans shouldn't just copy what is being done in the West without consideration of difference in culture and orientation.
We need great thinkers - sociologists and philosophers to debate and create a system that will build our nation. A pattern that is unique to Africa, a land where "I am because you are" is the motto (indicating togetherness in spite of manifest diversity) can't be governed with a system of government (democracy) that came from a culture of individuality whose philosophical foundation is "I think therefore I am" (The Philosophy of Cain who asked God "Am I my brother's keeper?).
The United Kingdom still uses the Monarchical System of Government till date, Yet, in Nigeria, Yoruba Kings, are placed under the local government council - the lowest tier of government.
It's time to think.
By Ayobami Ogedengbe
No comments:
Post a Comment