Daily Independent Online.
*
Wednesday, August 11, 2004.
The
real threat to democracy
The recent strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress
(NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), CFTU and civil society against fuel hike
brought to the fore the democratic credentials and mind of a man who is eyeing
the Nigerian presidency in the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He was quoted
as saying that NLC’s constant resort to strike is a threat to democracy.
Even the comment of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
that wants to produce the President, in the person of Chief Audu Ogbeh, was
unfortunate.
Well before I miss my point, I want these duo to know
that labour (NLC) is not a threat to democracy; rather, the following are: A
faulty and fraudulent electoral system that forces on us a selected cabal of
rulers instead of elected leaders both at the federal, state and local levels;
a bastardized economy as seen in a misguided deregulation which involves the
selling of the common wealth to self, cronies and associates, to please World
Bank, IMF, and some mafia; the inability of government to defend the masses
against exploitation as is the case in the telecom and downstream of the oil
sectors.
Another real threat to democracy is the argument by
government that Nigerians should pay international price for fuel, when
Nigerians are not being paid with international currencies; no international
social/security welfare and no international standard of governance. Massive
corruption by those in power and their associates without any being brought to
book; over bloated FEC/SEC just to satisfy political sycophants/touts; a faulty
reward system in which lazy/sycophants/touts are hugely rewarded whereas
hard-working, honest individuals have nothing to show, like in Lagos where area
boys can boast of a better living condition than even some hard-working
graduates.
Excessiveness/arbitrariness by our leaders and their
associates as being constantly exhibited by Mr. President as seen in Plateau
State, Zaki Ibiam, Odi and his flagrant rape/abuse of the Constitution; the
excessiveness, lack of respect by the governors, other political office holders
and their families and friends. The elevation of the office of the First ladies
to a level inconsistent with our constitution and the way these so called first
ladies run their "pet projects" without being audited or accountable
to anybody. The recent discriminatory action of the Zamfara State government
concerning charging fees in their public school.
The brutality of the police/other security men on the
masses; miscarriage, delay and denial of justice; a timid and coward
legislative arm as seen in the present crop of legislatures both at the state
and national levels.
So Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Chief Audu Ogbeh, my
dear duo, these above are some of the real threat to democracy, so I will
expect you to wage a serious war against these real threats and leave labour
out of it.
Umanze Humphrey,
Lagos
