Senate President Godswill Akpabio has made the laughable claim that other countries will learn from Nigeria’s democracy after 50 years. This is a claim that is so absurd that it is almost laughable.
Nigeria has been practicing democracy for 50 years, and what do we have to show for it? Chaos at every election, widespread corruption, and a government that is more interested in enriching itself than in serving the people.
It is true that Nigeria is a large and diverse country with a rich history and culture. However, our democracy is far from being a model for other countries. In fact, if Nigeria had a good democratic system, perhaps countries like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali would not have had coups in recent years.
Akpabio also claims that Nigeria needs a lot of assistance from other democratic nations like Ireland. This is a sad admission of the failure of our own leaders to build a strong and stable democracy.
It is true that Ireland has a long history of democracy. However, it is also a country that has overcome many challenges to become a prosperous and developed nation. Nigeria has the potential to do the same, but only if we are willing to learn from the mistakes of the past and make the necessary reforms.
Akpabio’s claim that Nigeria’s democracy will have significantly developed by 2073 is pure speculation. There is no evidence to support this claim, and it is likely that Nigeria will continue to struggle with its democratic challenges for many years to come.
It is time for Nigerians to wake up and demand better from their leaders. We need a democracy that works for the people, not just for the wealthy and powerful. We need a democracy that is based on justice, equality, and opportunity for all.
Until then, Akpabio’s claim that Nigeria’s democracy will be worth emulating after 50 years will remain nothing more than a laughable fantasy.
