Nigeria bleeding, We need true democracy – Ozekhome

Chief Mike Ozekhome, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said yesterday that despite having a democratic government in place since 1999, Nigeria is not truly practising democracy because elections do not reflect the wishes of the electorate.

According to Daily Sun, Ozekhome, who spoke at the 22nd annual Bishop Mike Okonkwo Lecture in Lagos, said that Nigeria was bleeding and needed immediate action from the ruled and rulers to address the situation.

This comes after Pat Utomi, a former presidential candidate and current professor of political economy, warned that the country was more divided than ever before.

Ozekhome, in his talk titled “Nigerianisation of Nigeria: A Look Inward,” asserted that obstacles were first placed in the way of the country’s political governance as early as 1966. He said there were several military coups up until 1999, when General Olusegun Obasanjo became the country’s first civilian president, ushering in the country’s fourth republic.

He stated, “This is 24 years of continuous democracy. However, there are still many issues of national concern that pose clear dangers to the nation’s security.

In contrast to other countries, he said, “in Nigeria, we put forward our worst 11 players.”

Ozekhome stated that Nigeria has been taken over by national/state political actors who make decisions without consulting the people.

At 63 years old, Nigeria is a country still finding its identity. Is it safe to say that we are living in a democratic society? In Nigeria, bovines are held in higher esteem than human beings. In this country, drivers often stop to let cows across the street.

“In our system, known as electionocracy, citizens vote for who will hold political office. There has been no democratic dividend for the people of Nigeria. Democracy in Nigeria has not benefited the country’s citizens. Our leaders are not elected but rather chosen by us.

It was on display at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, where we witnessed it. Judocracy refers to a system in which citizens cast ballots that are subsequently disregarded. In this country, democracy is not a way of life. Our government is made up of people whose mandates were forged. In this country, we have tyrants, not leaders.

Ozekhome advocated for a Constitution crafted by the people of Nigeria rather than one imposed from above as the means to achieve Nigerianisation.

We need a Nigerian-drafted Constitution. We need a new Constitution written by the people to replace the one from 1999.

The prominent lawyer said, “We need to remove ethnicity and religion if we want to move forward as a nation.” To choose new leaders, we require a trustworthy electoral system.

Prof. Utomi, who served as chairman of the annual event, lamented, “Nigeria has never been divided like this before, and the political class do not care.”

He went on to say that whereas leaders in other countries construct robust institutions to advance and safeguard democracy, the inverse is true in Nigeria.

“Nigeria has successfully transformed into a criminal empire. ”Nigeria is on the move, but it’s not going anywhere,” he said.

Bishop Mike Okonkwo said that many politicians only care about themselves and have badstardized the country.

He expressed concern that Nigeria was heading down a path of religious and ethnic intolerance and urged his countrymen to resist the tide.

The leading religious figure, who recently turned 78, gave thanks to God during the annual lecture on national issues.

Chief Mike Ozekhome, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said yesterday that despite having a democratic government in place since 1999, Nigeria is not truly practising democracy because elections do not reflect the wishes of the electorate.

According to Daily Sun, Ozekhome, who spoke at the 22nd annual Bishop Mike Okonkwo Lecture in Lagos, said that Nigeria was bleeding and needed immediate action from the ruled and rulers to address the situation.

This comes after Pat Utomi, a former presidential candidate and current professor of political economy, warned that the country was more divided than ever before.

Ozekhome, in his talk titled “Nigerianisation of Nigeria: A Look Inward,” asserted that obstacles were first placed in the way of the country’s political governance as early as 1966. He said there were several military coups up until 1999, when General Olusegun Obasanjo became the country’s first civilian president, ushering in the country’s fourth republic.

He stated, “This is 24 years of continuous democracy. However, there are still many issues of national concern that pose clear dangers to the nation’s security.

In contrast to other countries, he said, “in Nigeria, we put forward our worst 11 players.”

Ozekhome stated that Nigeria has been taken over by national/state political actors who make decisions without consulting the people.

At 63 years old, Nigeria is a country still finding its identity. Is it safe to say that we are living in a democratic society? In Nigeria, bovines are held in higher esteem than human beings. In this country, drivers often stop to let cows across the street.

“In our system, known as electionocracy, citizens vote for who will hold political office. There has been no democratic dividend for the people of Nigeria. Democracy in Nigeria has not benefited the country’s citizens. Our leaders are not elected but rather chosen by us.

It was on display at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, where we witnessed it. Judocracy refers to a system in which citizens cast ballots that are subsequently disregarded. In this country, democracy is not a way of life. Our government is made up of people whose mandates were forged. In this country, we have tyrants, not leaders.

Ozekhome advocated for a Constitution crafted by the people of Nigeria rather than one imposed from above as the means to achieve Nigerianisation.

We need a Nigerian-drafted Constitution. We need a new Constitution written by the people to replace the one from 1999.

The prominent lawyer said, “We need to remove ethnicity and religion if we want to move forward as a nation.” To choose new leaders, we require a trustworthy electoral system.

Prof. Utomi, who served as chairman of the annual event, lamented, “Nigeria has never been divided like this before, and the political class do not care.”

He went on to say that whereas leaders in other countries construct robust institutions to advance and safeguard democracy, the inverse is true in Nigeria.

“Nigeria has successfully transformed into a criminal empire. ”Nigeria is on the move, but it’s not going anywhere,” he said.

Bishop Mike Okonkwo said that many politicians only care about themselves and have badstardized the country.

He expressed concern that Nigeria was heading down a path of religious and ethnic intolerance and urged his countrymen to resist the tide.

The leading religious figure, who recently turned 78, gave thanks to God during the annual lecture on national issues.

Chief Mike Ozekhome, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said yesterday that despite having a democratic government in place since 1999, Nigeria is not truly practising democracy because elections do not reflect the wishes of the electorate.

According to Daily Sun, Ozekhome, who spoke at the 22nd annual Bishop Mike Okonkwo Lecture in Lagos, said that Nigeria was bleeding and needed immediate action from the ruled and rulers to address the situation.

This comes after Pat Utomi, a former presidential candidate and current professor of political economy, warned that the country was more divided than ever before.

Ozekhome, in his talk titled “Nigerianisation of Nigeria: A Look Inward,” asserted that obstacles were first placed in the way of the country’s political governance as early as 1966. He said there were several military coups up until 1999, when General Olusegun Obasanjo became the country’s first civilian president, ushering in the country’s fourth republic.

He stated, “This is 24 years of continuous democracy. However, there are still many issues of national concern that pose clear dangers to the nation’s security.

In contrast to other countries, he said, “in Nigeria, we put forward our worst 11 players.”

Ozekhome stated that Nigeria has been taken over by national/state political actors who make decisions without consulting the people.

At 63 years old, Nigeria is a country still finding its identity. Is it safe to say that we are living in a democratic society? In Nigeria, bovines are held in higher esteem than human beings. In this country, drivers often stop to let cows across the street.

“In our system, known as electionocracy, citizens vote for who will hold political office. There has been no democratic dividend for the people of Nigeria. Democracy in Nigeria has not benefited the country’s citizens. Our leaders are not elected but rather chosen by us.

It was on display at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, where we witnessed it. Judocracy refers to a system in which citizens cast ballots that are subsequently disregarded. In this country, democracy is not a way of life. Our government is made up of people whose mandates were forged. In this country, we have tyrants, not leaders.

Ozekhome advocated for a Constitution crafted by the people of Nigeria rather than one imposed from above as the means to achieve Nigerianisation.

We need a Nigerian-drafted Constitution. We need a new Constitution written by the people to replace the one from 1999.

The prominent lawyer said, “We need to remove ethnicity and religion if we want to move forward as a nation.” To choose new leaders, we require a trustworthy electoral system.

Prof. Utomi, who served as chairman of the annual event, lamented, “Nigeria has never been divided like this before, and the political class do not care.”

He went on to say that whereas leaders in other countries construct robust institutions to advance and safeguard democracy, the inverse is true in Nigeria.

“Nigeria has successfully transformed into a criminal empire. ”Nigeria is on the move, but it’s not going anywhere,” he said.

Bishop Mike Okonkwo said that many politicians only care about themselves and have badstardized the country.

He expressed concern that Nigeria was heading down a path of religious and ethnic intolerance and urged his countrymen to resist the tide.

The leading religious figure, who recently turned 78, gave thanks to God during the annual lecture on national issues.

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