2023: Militarized Democracy and Politics of Coronation

As 2023 gets closer, the political atmosphere in Nigeria is being heated up as the race for Nigeria’s Presidential election has started in earnest. Many of our political gladiators are coming out to declare their presidential ambition, and have started engaging in consultations with the influential stakeholders of their respective political parties and persons of political, business and social clout generally.

There is no gainsaying that Nigeria’s democracy is in a distressed state. The distressed condition of Nigeria’s democracy arises from the failure to fully democratize after its final transition from military rule to democracy in 1999. If not, how do you explain a situation where one individual arrogates to himself the power to select a successor, not minding the choice of the electorates? Sad realities of our beloved country Nigeria.

In 2006/2007 a sitting President, coming from a military background, openly declared that the upcoming election is “A do or die” affair. Tantamount to declaring war, and that his handpicked candidates must be declared winners – “Anointed successor”. The trend has continued with another president with a military background, sending undemocratic signals about “Coronation”.

It is more disheartening that the so-called democrats are giving in to this. As a concerned citizen and a keen observer, after watching the video clip of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s press briefing after his visit to Gen. Buhari to “inform him of his ambition”. What was playing on my mind, after reviewing the content and message to Nigerians was: “I (Tinubu) have informed the owner of Nigeria, about my intention to be anointed as his successor. Once I have his blessings, nothing can stop me.” Funny enough, David Umahi has followed suit, seeking for the same anointing.

At some point, in my deep reflection and thinking, I imagined what transpired in the meeting between Mr Tinubu and Buhari. Could it be that as the ‘Jagaban’ walked into the President’s office, assisted by the presidential aides, he then settled down and exchanged banter with the President:-

BAT: Your Excellency Sir! Happy New Year…….. may you continue to excel in all the heavy burdens and tasks of repositioning our dear nation Nigeria. Our people may not know how badly damaged the economy and other issues ranging from insecurity, debt profile and infrastructural decay that we inherited from the marauding PDP elements.

PMB: Asiwaju, I ‘assuuure-a’ you that Nigerians will miss me, when I hand over the fawer to my “anointed” successor. Thank you for your help and support all the time.

BAT: eehn, Your Excellency, talking about a successor, I have listened to your exclusive interview with NTA and Channels separately. I am not bothered about noise generated by the questions asked by Seun. The NTA’s exclusive ‘kosan’ me, because of our turn-by-turn agreement.

PMB: Yowaa, I remember, kware da gaskiya. Don’t worry yourself, you’re the khalifa. Even your boy….. many things are happening around him. People are trooping to ‘Aguda’ to encourage him about his turn. But don’t worry.

BAT: Sir, that is the real reason why I have come to remind you of our 2014 agreement. With your permission Your Excellency, I will announce my intention to Nigerians, right here in the villa before leaving.

PMB: yuwaa..shekina.

Could this be the kind of conversation that ensued between them given the fact that politics in Nigeria has been turned into a Coronation Street — a long-running soap opera in which the cast rarely change? Except here, it’s all about the military.

Military coups may no longer be fashionable, but that does not mean that the military has removed its hands from the wheel of politics. The omnipresent influence of the military in Nigerian politics is seen in the way managers of power in Nigeria’s “democratic” system not only secure approval for their political preferences but also plant their enforcers in key positions before reluctantly quitting the scene.

This exposes the nature and extent of the Nigerian political rot. The resultant effect of this is a huge gap between the demand and supply of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

Getting the very best to lead a team in the time of distress, cannot follow a turn-by-turn rule, but a choice from proven leaders from everywhere. If it was, turn-by-turn, then we are in big mess. Our nation today needs only tried and tested builders who will pull us together and creatively turn the economy around. It is either we are in democracy or not. There is no middle course to demonstrate our willingness to fully democratize.

Elections must not only be seen to be free, fair and credible. It must be generally acceptable to all and sundry, bearing in mind international standards. The whole world is watching us, we must live up to the acceptable global standard, we cannot afford to fail. History and prosperity are beckoning on us as a nation destined for greatness.

ARISE ‘O COMPATRIOTS.

Richard Odusanya is a Social Reform Crusader and the convener of AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI

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Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi

The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.

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