Enough of Our Copy and Paste Democracy by Anthony Okediran
Democracy, widely, has been adjudged to be the best system of government. Nevertheless, Africans, and particularly Nigerians, have continued to wonder why we have not derived much from the system all along the years of practice. Instead, we continue to find basis to applaud the initial systems prior to our nascent democracy.
The promoters of democracy had suggested the constitution as a compass. And internationally, nations subscribe to a common direction, as provided by their respective constitutions, to guide reactions to internal political occurrences.
A review of our democracy reveals of how the system is not sitting well with us due to inherent constitutional deficiencies.Vague provisions are found at every corner of the many matters arising from our political interactions. This is obviously because of the silent holes that exist here and there in our constitution.
There is a need to address the ambiguity. We should not always allow it happen again and again. The peculiarities that refuse democracy the required balance should be addressed, properly and holistically.
For instance, the umpire should not only guide elections but put measures in place to ensure parties do more for our democracy. Why not ensure appropriate party policies and manifestos? Would it not be proper to consider ensuring that party ideology is given increased relevance?
Proper mention, also should be made on issues like defection and division across party lines in our constitution. Provisions should be made on the need to have a database of party faithful. The basis is that if parties are relevant to our democracy, it would be necessary to regulate their activities appropriately.
Issues like the autonomy of the third tier of government should be addressed to deepen our democracy. The multiparty system is ridiculed by the absence of this autonomy.
Increasing the depth of our constitution is an urgent task for the legislative houses. Without this our democracy would continue to appear borrowed and without impact. The consequence are not far fetched.
I agree the constitution cannot address all issue with same level of precision. But the present state connotes numerous deficiencies. Democracy wears a mask unleashing the undesired.
Anthony Okediran, a chartered accountant, writes from Owerri.
The promoters of democracy had suggested the constitution as a compass. And internationally, nations subscribe to a common direction, as provided by their respective constitutions, to guide reactions to internal political occurrences.
A review of our democracy reveals of how the system is not sitting well with us due to inherent constitutional deficiencies.Vague provisions are found at every corner of the many matters arising from our political interactions. This is obviously because of the silent holes that exist here and there in our constitution.
There is a need to address the ambiguity. We should not always allow it happen again and again. The peculiarities that refuse democracy the required balance should be addressed, properly and holistically.
For instance, the umpire should not only guide elections but put measures in place to ensure parties do more for our democracy. Why not ensure appropriate party policies and manifestos? Would it not be proper to consider ensuring that party ideology is given increased relevance?
Proper mention, also should be made on issues like defection and division across party lines in our constitution. Provisions should be made on the need to have a database of party faithful. The basis is that if parties are relevant to our democracy, it would be necessary to regulate their activities appropriately.
Issues like the autonomy of the third tier of government should be addressed to deepen our democracy. The multiparty system is ridiculed by the absence of this autonomy.
Increasing the depth of our constitution is an urgent task for the legislative houses. Without this our democracy would continue to appear borrowed and without impact. The consequence are not far fetched.
I agree the constitution cannot address all issue with same level of precision. But the present state connotes numerous deficiencies. Democracy wears a mask unleashing the undesired.
Anthony Okediran, a chartered accountant, writes from Owerri.
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