An Ebonyi PDP Chieftain, Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh has expressed concern about the agony of the Nigerian citizens even when the country steers a democratic government, since 1999 till date.
Dr Eze, an Oxford-trained entrepreneur who was one of the leading aspirants for the state governorship position under the PDP platform in his 2022 Democracy message to the Ebonyi people and Nigerians at large, asked them to confer on the necessity to defend the self-ruling realities in the context of the social-cultural uniqueness.
He, however, said, "although ours remain wrought with fundamental faults and challenges that often seem to defeat its essence, we must never give up on our collective resolve to adapt it in such a manner that would serve us best."
The message read in full: "WE MUST UPHOLD DEMOCRACY IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR SOCIO-CULTURAL UNIQUENESS
"A felicitation message by Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh
"Dear Ebonyians,
I wish to heartily congratulate you on this year's occasion of Democracy Day Celebration.
I'm not oblivious of the suffering and strangulation you've been through even under a democratic dispensation, especially within the last couple of years.
But it is often said that the worst of a democratic government is always better than the best of a dictatorial regime. The truth of this statement may not be in absolute terms but it is reflective of many significant realities.
One of the most powerful features of democracy is the room it gives for the people to participate in the decision of who pilots the business of governance.
Although ours remain wrought with fundamental faults and challenges that often seem to defeat its essence, we must never give up on our collective resolve to adapt it in such a manner that would serve us best.
This is a concern we must take seriously because as long as we continue to practice a version of democracy that sees the emergence of the worst of us as leaders at different levels, we might continue to reap far less than the optimal potential of a responsible democratic system.
There are five of the many issues with our version of democracy to which I'd like to draw your attention.
First is the transactional politics within political parties, mostly revolving around delegates. This has become the most excruciating bane of Nigeria's democracy, whereby the best candidates for different offices are often schemed out during party primaries, either because they do not have enough money to "buy delegates" or they do not believe in "buying delegates" as a matter of principle and character. Similar to this is also the ugly issue of voting "buying and selling" during general elections.
Second is the issue of fairness, justice and equity. We must begin to take more seriously the issue of our sociocultural diversity in the practice of democracy. The idea of power rotation ensures a sense of belonging to every facet of the polity and guarantees political stability. This must however be upheld in such a manner that does not relegate competency.
Third, is the politics of dominance where a section plots to dominate another. This rule of the jungle is not progressive and we must collectively outgrow such prebendalism.
Fourth, the leadership of Political Parties ought to be more selfless, especially as it concerns the People's Democratic Party (PDP). This is because the way things are handled within political parties can make or mar the fundamental essence of democracy.
Fifth, democracy ought to reflect the sociocultural contexts of the people; should reflect a clear developmental political evolution and ultimately deliver a unique brand of 'homegrown' version of democracy. This is where our copy-and-paste attitude fails us. The long walk to a unique political culture beacon...
As we celebrate this year's Democracy Day, we must amongst other challenges reflect on the aforementioned and seek to position ourselves in a way that would make Democracy become more oa f blessing than a curse to us.
It is on this note that I wish to encourage every Ebonyian that has reached the voting age to take every pain and ensure he/she obtains a PVC with which to actively participate in the forthcoming general election. We urge our people to go beyond merely voting but become part of internal party processes.
With a consistent determination to always add our voices and get directly involved, we can change the extant ugly narratives in our polity.
Let our hopes rise and never fall. Darkness trembles at the instance of every iota of light.
Thank you and God bless Ebonyi State.
*Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh*
Dated June 12, 2022
