Judging from goings-on in the nation today, one would be forced to conclude that Nigeria is not ready for democracy. What with the arbitrary registration of political parties; the flagrant disregard for the rule of law and public opinion by Nigeria's leaders and top civil servants; the militarization of the polity using the Nigeria Police [Force]; the weakness of the Federal Constutution before the President of the Republic; the oppression that is prevalent in the society - the rich oppressing the poor, and the poor oppressing the rich; the rising poverty level; the resort of the average Nigerian to force just to buttress a point. There are many pointers to suggest that maybe, just maybe, we entered into this thing called democracy too soon.

Come to think of it. How come nothing works as long as due process is followed? But the moment you think of shunting the order, and doing it in disorderly manner, you hit bull's eye. It also amazes me that we Nigerians, instead of rising as one body to declare to our leaders what we put them there for, we have developed thick skin and adopted the siddon-look attitude.

In a real democracy, the citizenry cannot entirely lay the blame on the leaders of the state. They too have an input to make, through peaceful demonstrations, rallies, and even violent remonstrations of their demands, when occasion calls for it. But in Nigeria, the citizens do nothing to make the rulers know that they have people who are watching, aware of their every move. Our leaders are not magicians, and so we cannot expect them to just know all that should be done. Perhaps they know what to do, but are gripped in the powerful vice of inertia. As good citizens of Nigeria, and to prove to the world that we are ready for this democracy, and not just carrying out an exercise in futility, we need to begin to rise up in little pockets of demonstration against the evils being perpetrated by our leaders. Only then can we say that democracy has arrived in Nigeria.

"Nigeria had better witness another military coup than have Babangida or Obasanjo again as President." - Mrs. Teju Abiola, the late MKO Abiola's widow.

Chiori:

Judging from goings-on in the nation today, one would be forced to conclude that Nigeria is not ready for democracy. What with the arbitrary registration of political parties; the flagrant disregard for the rule of law and public opinion by Nigeria's leaders and top civil servants; the militarization of the polity using the Nigeria Police [Force]; the weakness of the Federal Constutution before the President of the Republic; the oppression that is prevalent in the society - the rich oppressing the poor, and the poor oppressing the rich; the rising poverty level; the resort of the average Nigerian to force just to buttress a point. There are many pointers to suggest that maybe, just maybe, we entered into this thing called democracy too soon.

After decades of military rule, I find your last sentence insulting (nothing personal). We have only been a democracy for 8 years. That means that those who were in power with or via the military are still the ones in power. It will take time for the old to pass through and younger more democracy minded individuals take control of the helm. It is a process we must bear. The alternative is simply not worth it.

I have only one response to this topic.

In 1947 India got independence. Shortly after the country split. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Now let's look at the larger two: India and Pakistan. In one the military till this day has remained in the barracks, even though 4 (5 if we count Mahatma Gandhi) of their leaders have been assasinated in bloody and vindictive power struggles. In the other, the military has occasionally intervened.

Which is better now?

Democracy is a painful and slow learning process. You know how many US presidents were assasinated on the way to where they are now?

, nigeria is not yet ready for democracy, we need real revolution!!!!!!!!!!

If Nigeria wants Democracy what she needs to do is elect a leader that will be accepted by all leaders like
Duke or Utomi
not those generals that have skeletons in thier cupboard

So who do you think is best suited to rule Nigeria now?

nuhu ribadu, , akunyili, ,buhari. , any other name[s] will continue taking us round as always, thus saith the lord!!!

It is when a relatively unknown and unassuming personality becomes president and is allowed to function properly that I will know that this country is ready for democracy. Anything short of that, we are just playing democracy.

I Thot We Were Practicing Demon-Cracy Already. Or Do U Mean Democracy?

Not With All The Demonic Personalities Perpetuating Themselves In PoorWer!

DemonCrazy! thats what these besterds practice. My head aches,

I dont think Nigeria is ready for democracy, else, they wont be talking about tribal rotational leadership

And if we truly practiced democracy, then this show of shame (Yar'Adua Gate) engulfing the nation would since have been taken care off, and the matter laid to rest for good.

Nigeria is ready for complete and utter dissolution.

That is what Nigeria needs.

Nigeria at the level it is today is not as mentally and idealistically develop as the time of great greek philosophers like Socrates,aristotle and other great ancient pioneers of democracy,workable laws and principles that governs a society.

It is time we accept the fact that our problems boils down to unimaginable primitivity,we can't do it because we don't have a goddam clue of what human society stands for.

With the way things are going nigeria will soon become as desolute as somalia.

That is frightening.

What do you expect?it is already happening,islamism and Cia manipulations strive in absolute dungeon,in a state of purgatory and full height of human moral decadence.

They sulk the blood of the sufferers,those born to perish out of ignorance.

I know things are really at a head, but I refuse to believe it has gone that bad.

You already heard of the bomb in warri,soon it will be in lagos or onitsha by a different and more sinister clique altogether.Even the bible most of you guys read said it,that generations perish for lack of knowledge,all you get from moral laxity is chaos.

You can't eat your cake and have it,something must give.