This cartoon was later published in Thisday, Tuesday, 18 June 2013.
The Democracy and
Transformation we Mean
THISDAY 11 June 2013
By 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.
*Senator Anyim is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
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