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Democracy and crisis
management: 2007 in perspective
By Abah Michael
DEMOCRACY as the name implies is synonymous with good governance which
negates the cardinal principle of nepotism and anarchism. In today’s world,
democracy has in many positive ways addressed issues arising from societal
conflict which emanate as a result of social quest for domestic
infrastructure. No doubt, despite positive contributions and social benefits
which is enjoyed by all, it is apt to say that, there are negative impact
which both the public and political stakeholders (politicians and elite)
suffer.
In a nutshell, despite all democratic dividends enjoyed in any political or
democratic regime, there is also the very bitter side which is called
crises.
No doubt, every human society must to an extent experience one form of
crisis or another. It must be clearly understood that the way and manner
such a society handles and manages such a crisis is quite important.
In the Nigerian context, crisis is seen as a daily part of our livelihood
and this is what prompts me to examine the causes of such crisis as it
relates to 2007 elections.
Why some or many of these crises have left millions of people and property
worth millions of Naira destroyed. What Nigerians fail to understand is that
some elite in the society directly benefit from such situations and at the
same time innocent and poor civilians are left to feel the impact.
The history of the most populated African country Nigeria is not different
in this regard considering the series of crises witnessed since May 29,
1999.
One major difference between the military and democratic governments is the
way solution to pressing issues affecting the country’s stability is
handled. While the military believe in a quick and hard way in sorting out
solutions, the civilians follow due process. For instance while the Warri/Niger-Delta
issue has claimed many lives of our dear innocent citizens, the fact remains
that there is still no hope of peace as both foreign nationals and our
experts work under a condition and atmosphere that is unsafe due to the fact
that irate youth and militants may strike at any time.
Recently, the Bayelsa state governor’s campaign office, Governor Goodluck
Jonathan was blown off by arsonists believed to be on an Okada who threw
dynamite across the fence into the campaign building.
The way things happen especially during this democratic dispensation shows
clearly the breaks down of civic law and the most disturbing is the way
Nigerians go about the case.
While I must confess that the security network put in place by the police is
not strong enough to match the strategies of those behind most of these evil
acts in the country, what is more worri-some is the care-free attitude
adopted in the investigations of the incidents.
Of recent, in the midst of insecurity and other crisis, the most disturbing
which has opened or exposed the chiken’s ass is the deadly murder of the
commissioner of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). While this particular
killing has clearly undermined the effectiveness of the police and its
anti-crime prevention agencies, it is pertinent to averse that if a
commissioner can be killed in the federation’s capital territory without
immediate discovery of those behind the awful act, then indeed, community
policing has not made any serious impact in both the police and the society.
The federal government should not only understand that some aspects of its
security policies are ineffective but must also address issues regarding the
welfare of those to ensure the safety of lives of the common citizens.
If the former Attorney General of the Federation would be assassinated
without any break through in uncovering the culprits behind the killing,
then indeed the police as an apparatus of government meant to ensure
security for the common man has to be seriously looked into.
During this democratic regime, it is believed that more prominent Nigerians
were killed than at anytime in our recent history.
As 2007 draws to a close, it is hoped that no more lives will be lost.
Nigerians expect that governments at all levels will put strict measures in
place to ensure peaceful elections. Already there is fear from all Quarters
that the elections may not be peaceful after all.
In this light therefore it is hoped that governments will create a level
playing ground to ensure sanity and crises-free elections.
It is however important to note that security is very expensive and
important as well, therefore since crises are hard to resolve especially in
democracy because due process must be followed, what should be done is for
the crisis to be prevented which is cheaper and safer.
If the government must achieve and maintain total tranquility during and
after the 2007 election, it must not only put in place effective security
mechanisms, but also sensitize the citizens on the need for attitudinal
change towards a crises-free society during and after the elections. It
should be understood that no matter the level of crises in the society those
behind the situation hardly get affected since it is the common citizen that
suffers the impact in the long run.. Therefore, let’s join hands to ensure
crises-free elections during and after the 2007 elections as it is only by
doing so that we can attain a better society with positive development and
total progress.
Crises hamper individual and collective progress of a nation. Its should
therefore be a thing of the past to ensure a better society for all.
MICHAEL is on internship with Sunday Triumph
His e-mail is mikeabahoo@yahoo.com
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 2006