It is heartwarming to know that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration chooses to honour late M.K.O Abiola by declaring June 12 as democracy day.
But, it is rather unfortunate that many Nigerians are yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy twenty-one years after the return of democracy in the country.
Late Abiola is regarded as the President Nigeria never had and one of the things he stood for before his death was the well-being of the masses regardless of tribe, ethnicity or religion.
However, years after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, it seems nothing has changed about the electoral process and election in the country.
Some Nigerians still find it hard to trust the words of the electoral umpire, The Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, which is saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections in the country.
After the 2019 general elections, some electoral observant, stakeholders and opposition parties opined that the electoral body has not proven itself as an unbiased umpire
No gainsaying the fact that the body has so much decision to make in respect of how people elect those that will paddle the ship of the affairs of Local government, states and the country at large.
But, it is more or less like the Independent National Electoral Commission has not gained its independence from people who still decide the direction of the body.
Dividends Of Democracy
Moreover, many people have called on INEC to do better in conducting a credible, free and fair election such that will make Nigerians to repose confidence in the body, hence electing those they considered fit for different elective positions.
Given the Coronavirus pandemic, people have again called on INEC to work out modalities on ensuring electronic voting such that would aid transparency.
That been said, it is key to reiterate that so many Nigerians are still salivating and dreaming of when they can finally smile and boast of enjoying the dividends of democracy as a citizen of this Nation.
It is a glaring fact that the reason why so many Nigerians travel out of this country in their numbers to other countries and continents around the world is to seek greener pastures.
Unfortunately, the sojourn for greener pasture in other countries have in turn made many of such people to fall victim of racism, modern slavery among others.
One of the things late Obafemi Awolowo will forever be remembered for is his free education policy which gave many Nigerians the privilege to go to school without any financial burden, but the case is not the same again considering the amount of money people spend on education.
Recently, there was a public outcry over the federal government’s decision to reduce the amount budgeted for health and Universal basic Education in the 2020 budget despite the whooping 27 billion naira that was budgeted for the renovation of the National Assembly complex.
Though many Nigerians described the huge amount budgeted for the renovation as a misplaced priority it seems people’s opinion had no power to stop the plan to renovate the complex.
Also, in the area of Security of lives and property, the different happenings in some parts of the country are pointer to the fact that Nigeria still has a long way to go in curtailing insecurity to ensure the security of lives and belongings of innocent Nigerians.
The spate of attacks in Southern Kaduna and other Northern states are becoming alarming, unfortunately, the best President Muhammadu Buhari has been able to do is condemn the attack and commiserates with victims of such attacks.
Thousands of lives have been lost to the hands of Boko Haram terrorists, banditry, ritualists, Kidnappers and other evil perpetrators, no thanks to the security architecture in Nigeria.
Beyond the call for the replacement of Service Chiefs and condemnation of these attacks, there is the need for the federal government to come up with feasible structure and plan that will ensure the safety of all Nigerians and foreigners in the country.
Despite the many billions of naira that both federal and state governments budget for road constructions in their annual budget, road accidents have claimed many lives and this brings about the question of government’s sincerity to road constructions and other impactful projects.
A few days ago, a video went viral showing some residents of Ilaje in Ondo state who commissioned a road that was in a very bad shape in the area and this brings about the question of the achievements of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the last three and half years.
There are many instances of bad roads across the country thereby making it difficult for people to have good road Network in their various communities and states in the state.
Sometimes ago, the federal government unveiled a plan about the ease of doing business in the country to make foreign investors consider bringing their investment to the country.
But the question that is begging for answer is, can business thrive in a country where there is no stable power supply?.
Many other areas centres around how Nigerians have been salivating for the dividends of democracy without getting it despite the many years of democracy in Nigeria.
How will this high population of unemployed youths be proud of being Nigerians when everything seems to be working against them.
Nigerians are still salivating dividends of Democracy in the area of Health sector, Agriculture, Employment, Road Network, electricity, portable water among others.