By Paul Cletus Bello
Nigeria is the fourth world largest democracy with a population of over 160 million and still counting, world sixth largest oil producer and blessed with economic potentials, but majority of the Nigeria population is poor due to bad governance.
All and sundry expected the return of Nigeria to democratic rule will bring the needed Eldorado. On the contrary Nigeria is stifled, staggered and still left behind in this sphere of human development. The premium of this piece qualitatively seeks ways to approach and analyze the nexus between democracy and freedom of speech: is it a blessing or a curse in Nigerian context under previous and present democratic dispensations of uninterrupted 19-year-old democracy? The piece will recommend strict adherence to the principles of democracy and social cohesion among the diverse social groups in Nigeria.
The country will on May 29, 2018 celebrate its 19 years of civil democratic rule within the same period also the nation witnessed transfer of political power from civilian to civilian governments for the very first time ever and also a paradigm shift in political power relinquishment from an incumbent ruling party (PDP) to an opposition party (APC) for the first time ever also in the annals of history of the Nigerian body politics since independence.
Everyone expected the return of Nigeria to democratic rule will bring about development and social cohesion among its diverse social groups, but on the contrary, Nigeria is still left behind in its quest for true nationhood. This has made many people still hold doubts on whether the task of building an egalitarian and social cohesive society is achievable.
Democracy, freedom of speech: a blessing or curse, the feelers and ambiences coming out of Nigeria that are churned out on daily basis is a call for sober reflection – with the calls and counter-calls from different ethnic nationalities that make up the country with bogus and venomous spits of fire of public utterances cannot auger well with the country. The hullabaloo being witnessed as a result of mutual mistrust and suspicion which they got their prodding from renewed agitation for defunct Biafran Republic, quit notice, circulation of Igbo hate song in the Northern part of the country, terrorism (hate speech) and religious bigotry, and vendetta have untold hardship on the ordinary man who bears much of the brunt of these skirmishes orchestrated by the big wigs that always arrogate power to themselves without following due process and with less emphasis and regard to human right in their quest to settle cheap political, social and economic points as one seems not to welcome the over bearings of the other; thus, the resultant effect is that the unity of the country is undermined by the manner less and un-provocative unguarded public nuisance of the apologists of hate speech. The 1999 constitution, as amended, in chapter IV, section 33(1), section 38(1), section 39(1) (2), section 40 and section 43 thoroughly dwells on fundamental rights to be enjoyed by a Nigerian regardless of creed, economic, social status and so on.
Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. In expressing this fundamental human rights provision of the constitution, restraint should be applied on both the part of government and citizenry – the government should be bold enough to welcome constructive criticisms and the citizens should also know that where somebody’s right ends another person’s right starts.
Nonetheless, while this is being made to last, the missing child is national development – which Dudley Seers in his conception, related it to the eradication of poverty, unemployment and inequality in a society among other variables when he asserted that:
“The questions to ask about country’s development are three and therefore; what has been happening to poverty? What has been happening to unemployment? What has been happening to inequality? If all the three of these have declined from high levels than beyond doubt this has a period of development for the country concerned. If one or two of these central problems have been growing worse, especially if the entire three have, it would be strange to call the result “Development” even if per capita income doubled”.
From the foregoing statements, development implies change or progressive advancement that will give all a sense of belonging; it also implies continuous process of positive change in the quality of life of an individual or a society, reduction of poverty, unemployment and inequality. In curtailing this government should take the giant steps to douse the tension and implement blueprints that border on integration and social inclusiveness. People should know that democracy does not give room for uncontrollable madness despite its appeals for protection of fundamental human rights there are penalties attached to any civil wrong.
Though democracy is important for human development and social cohesion, it is not a prerequisite for development, for social cohesion to be manifested in all its spheres there is need for strict adherence to the principles of democracy and good governance. Nigeria is better off as a one virile strong indivisible entity as “Our strength lies in our unity and diversity”.
Bello, civil/human rights advocate, writes from Abuja
Abuja. [email protected]
