Encomium
Not satisfied with what they got after 16 years of democratic rule, Nigerians are asking for dividends of democracy from the in-coming Buhari administration.
Expressing their views with our reporters, many decried the poor state of infrastructure, poverty, corruption among other woes troubling the nation.
‘I MUST SAY THAT MILITARY FAVOURED US BETTER THAN THIS DEMOCRACY’ – Pascaline Chidera
Comparatively in terms of how the systems are run, democracy is preferable to military. At least, you can hold leaders in democracy accountable and demand what you want, unlike in military where one person can just kill anyone that is opposing the government.
But in terms of dividends, I must say that military favoured us better than this democracy where people are looting the nation’s treasury recklessly. I still remember those days in the 80s when the trains were working, the naira has value.
You could buy something reasonable with coins, today where are they? Democracy has only achieved one thing, impoverish us further. Now we have accumulated debt of N5tr! What was the money used for? Only God can save us!
‘DEMOCRACY IS PREFERABLE TO MILITARY RULE’ – Jimmy Oto-Obong
Of course, democracy is preferable to military rule. That is simply because there is more freedom in democracy and also you can hold the leaders accountable. Which is not possible in military rule.
No, we have not and I’ll tell you why.
Is there any significant improvement or development we have made since 1999, instead we have become even worse. We used to have working trains, now they are no more. Where are the refineries 16 years after? Sometimes, I silently wish for military rule with a good person as head. But if we can weed out corruption, we will reap the rewards of democracy.
‘I WON’T SAY I HAVE ENJOYED DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY’ – Lawrence Onuzulike
I won’t say I have enjoyed dividends of democracy in the past 16 years but I must concede that Obasanjo bringing us GSM, consolidating the banks and making some attempt to tackle corruption through EFCC is commendable.
‘WE SEE THEIR ACHIEVEMENT ONLY ON PAPER…’ – Omini Headmaster
Yes, on paper and television, where the government tells you they have allocated billions of naira for development in your area, but it ends on TV and news paper. Although, there has been very little dividend of democracy, we hope it improves.
‘I DON’T THINK WE HAVE GONE FAR AT ALL’ – Bisi Falola
In my assessment of Nigerian democracy in 16 years, I don’t think we have gone far at all. We still have a long way to go. Nigeria is still battling poor infrastructure, epileptic power supply, perennial fuel scarcity, crumbling education system and much more.
Now, the price of crude oil has fallen globally and that’s the major item Nigeria banks on for revenue. So, how long can Nigeria survive with that. Even when crude oil was over $100 per barrel, the country’s economy was not improving. Now that things have declined generally, what’s the fate of Nigeria economy?
But I believe that when the new administration comes in, there will be a kind of relief because almost all the developed countries have pledged their total support for Buhari. So, may be with that alone, things can get better. But as of now, there is nothing to write home about. We’re not enjoying the expected dividends of democracy. I advise that Buhari should just be focused and ensure he fights corruption with all his strength and wisdom so that his name will be written in gold.
‘THERE IS NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT IN THE LAST 16 YEARS OF NIGERIAN UNINTERRUPTED DEMOCRACY – Lowo Adegbenjo
There is nothing to write home about in the last 16 years of Nigerian uninterrupted democracy. It has been from one challenge to the other. And the masses have always been at the receiving end. There is nothing we have enjoyed adequately. Every sector is in shamble.
And to worsen the situation Jonathan’s administration failed to address security problem with sincerity of purpose until the last days of his administration.
Left to me, Nigerians have not benefitted the promised dividends of democracy. Instead, it’s only the rich that get richer by the day at the expense of the poor masses of this country, forgetting that the resources belong to us all.
Our so called leaders have no excuse to leave us in the hands of abject poverty whenever they leave government. You can imagine the kind of situation we found ourselves now, no fuel, no light everywhere is dull. And they’re saying Buhari is coming to effect a change. How will he succeed with the bulk of dust he’s inheriting from Jonathan’s misguided administration?
We need prayer in this country for us to enjoy true dividends of democracy even as Buhari is taking over from Jonathan because the man is not a magician.
‘WE WANT MORE DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY’ – Comrade Henry Rowlands
We are happy to have had 16 straight years of uninterrupted democracy. But we are yet to harness its full benefits. So, we want more dividends of democracy.
’16 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY WORTH CELEBRATING, BUT…’ – Enyinnaya Chinedu
We should be happy for the stability in our democracy. But having said this, I think our leaders should lead us right so we can develop our dear country. As things are now, we are really backward.
‘IT’S 16 YEARS OF POVERTY AND CORRUPTION’ – Dr Chris Nwaokobia
The disgraced Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) infested our nation with endemic corruption. And I thank God change has finally come. The last years have been so far, so bad. General Buhari’s six months in office would open our eyes to the realities of good governance.
