Tomorrow, May 29,
2020, is what used to be referred to in Nigeria as “Democracy Day,” but now it will only serve as the anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari's regime and that of some state governors. It
is usually a welcome excuse for great celebrations, chest-beating and wild
claims about humongous achievements, many of which exist only in the
imagination of the mostly failed leaders.
*Nigeria Leaders: Jonathan, Obasanjo, Buhari |
Even the term “Democracy
Day” (which is now observed on June 12) is such an excruciating irony in a country where almost all
the features that distinguish democratic societies have been brutally
obliterated, leaving the populace continually trapped in destabilizing
apprehension.
There would, however,
be no parties tomorrow. A hostile, dreaded visitor called Coronavirus is
town! Let’s hope, therefore, that the absence of bacchanals tomorrow will
afford our leaders the conducive atmosphere for deep, sober
reflections, to determine whether they have merely added to the suffering and
pain of the people or helped, even in some little way, to reduce
them.
If
Nigeria is working, we will know! Those were the exact words of late Prof Chinua
Achebe, Africa’s foremost writer and distinguished intellectual. In other
words, the citizens do not need any bogus claims by government’s megaphones to
realise that there is an improvement in their country’s economy because it will
automatically translate to an enhancement in their lives.