Democracy will work better if there is transparency —Nollywood actress, actors

As the Federal Republic of Nigeria celebrates its 20th anniversary of Democracy on Wednesday some prime members of the movie industry popularly known as Nollywood shared some of their hopes and aspirations for the country. Newton-Ray Ukwuoma brings some highlights.

After 20 years, no bridge between the people and elected officers – Actress Etinosa Idemudia

By definition, democracy is a system of government by the people through elected representatives. In Nigeria democracy would work better if we had more transparency and a strong bridge between the people and those “elected” to represent them. So far, this bridge does not exist even after 20 years. And the prospect that it will exist is in doubt.

Armed robber caught, burnt to death in Abuja

The kind of politicians we have today run a dictatorship – Actor Veteran actor, Fabian Adibe

Since 1999, we have tried, but we have not done enough. Since the army handed over, it looked like the politicians came back with the vengeance to destroy everything the army has set up by taking every resource that they have kept. For example, our politicians are being paid too much especially those in the National Assembly. This is why it looks like Nigeria does not have enough money to pay even the workers and the pensioners. But if you ask me democracy is better than military rule. But I am of the opinion that our politicians need to do more to make this country great. They are not doing anything. They are only making themselves great. Democracy is the government by the people and for the people but the kind of politicians we have today run a dictatorship and that is what is killing democracy in Nigeria.

After 20 years, no bridge between the people and elected officers – Actress Etinosa Idemudia

By definition, democracy is a system of government by the people through elected representatives. In Nigeria democracy would work better if we had more transparency and a strong bridge between the people and those “elected” to represent them. So far, this bridge does not exist even after 20 years. And the prospect that it will exist is in doubt.

The kind of politicians we have today run a dictatorship – Actor Veteran actor, Fabian Adibe

Since 1999, we have tried, but we have not done enough. Since the army handed over, it looked like the politicians came back with the vengeance to destroy everything the army has set up by taking every resource that they have kept. For example, our politicians are being paid too much especially those in the National Assembly. This is why it looks like Nigeria does not have enough money to pay even the workers and the pensioners. But if you ask me democracy is better than military rule. But I am of the opinion that our politicians need to do more to make this country great. They are not doing anything. They are only making themselves great. Democracy is the government by the people and for the people but the kind of politicians we have today run a dictatorship and that is what is killing democracy in Nigeria.

Democracy has caused more harm than good in this country – Actor Funky Mallam

Democracy in Nigeria since inception has been suffering from a lot of defeat from people who are very unpatriotic. People want to be rich overnight because of that democracy is not being practiced the way it is supposed to be. People get into government not for the service but for the largess of office. We have so many unpatriotic politicians. That is why you see people who are running big establishments leave them for politics. They don’t care about the people but about their pockets. Democracy has caused more harm than good in this country. It has given the perpetrators of corruption the window to assume non-guilty until they are found guilty in court. They go and commit all sorts of offences with impunity.  In democracy you can do whatever you feel like until you are caught red-handed. It wasn’t so during the military. People are more afraid to commit offence during the military era because the judgment is quick and swift. Democracy has destroyed our conscience, our tradition and our values and our ability to grow this country to the next level. But if we have the people who are willing to serve Nigeria and not their families then we will enjoy the dividends of democracy in Nigeria.

To get democracy right, people must die  – Actor John Njamah

Over the years we have seen the failure of leadership. We have seen how corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of this country. Freeing ourselves from this rot is one of the biggest challenges of democracy. By and large, democracy has failed us. We have not seen any sign of improvement or any sign that it will be better. But many people are saying we should be hopeful, but truth be told it is not getting any better. For this country to grow, it will require the blood of certain individuals. In the fight against corruption and the struggle to have good leadership people will die. As tough as this will sound, it is true. I am not saying there is going to be a revolution, but it is either you kill these corrupt people or you create a law that does not tolerate corrupt people. I do not know the form it will take but we are back to the drawing board of fate. We are always told that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. In 2019, some youths ran for offices including presidency, were they encouraged? When will the youth be able to take up that mandate of leadership and rule? It is sad. I wish I could preach happiness and better tomorrow.

Democracy is still ongoing – Actor Sam Uche Anyamele

2o years gone, democracy for me is still ongoing because we can’t say it has developed the nation as we expected and we cannot say it has retarded her progress. There are bits of movement in certain quarters and sectors. The much I can say is that we are not where we used to be, we have moved certainly farther and we are hoping that we will get to this Jerusalem someday. My concern is basically about the leaders, those in government. We enjoin them to have the will power; to have the understanding that posterity will judge us all. Any time a Nigerian citizen has got an opportunity to serve, they must do it ideally, without fear or favour and as accountable as possible. Indeed we cannot be ignorance of the crisis that has been embedded among us in the form of ethnicity and religious jingoism. In our diversity there lies the strength of unity. So, for everyone who has the opportunity to serve must understand that we are indivisible, we are insoluble and we are a sovereign country and democracy must thrive. The whole world is giving away military as a form of government because freedom of expression is an inalienable right. We cannot live that regimented system; therefore we must manage what we have. I celebrate Nigeria for marking its 20th anniversary in Democracy and I know that a child of 20 years is mature enough to have aspirations and inspirations to determine where they should go.

Democracy has caused more harm than good in this country – Actor Funky Mallam

Democracy in Nigeria since inception has been suffering from a lot of defeat from people who are very unpatriotic. People want to be rich overnight because of that democracy is not being practiced the way it is supposed to be. People get into government not for the service but for the largess of office. We have so many unpatriotic politicians. That is why you see people who are running big establishments leave them for politics. They don’t care about the people but about their pockets. Democracy has caused more harm than good in this country. It has given the perpetrators of corruption the window to assume non-guilty until they are found guilty in court. They go and commit all sorts of offences with impunity.  In democracy you can do whatever you feel like until you are caught red-handed. It wasn’t so during the military. People are more afraid to commit offence during the military era because the judgment is quick and swift. Democracy has destroyed our conscience, our tradition and our values and our ability to grow this country to the next level. But if we have the people who are willing to serve Nigeria and not their families then we will enjoy the dividends of democracy in Nigeria.

To get democracy right, people must die  – Actor John Njamah

Over the years we have seen the failure of leadership. We have seen how corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of this country. Freeing ourselves from this rot is one of the biggest challenges of democracy. By and large, democracy has failed us. We have not seen any sign of improvement or any sign that it will be better. But many people are saying we should be hopeful, but truth be told it is not getting any better. For this country to grow, it will require the blood of certain individuals. In the fight against corruption and the struggle to have good leadership people will die. As tough as this will sound, it is true. I am not saying there is going to be a revolution, but it is either you kill these corrupt people or you create a law that does not tolerate corrupt people. I do not know the form it will take but we are back to the drawing board of fate. We are always told that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. In 2019, some youths ran for offices including presidency, were they encouraged? When will the youth be able to take up that mandate of leadership and rule? It is sad. I wish I could preach happiness and better tomorrow.

Democracy is still ongoing – Actor Sam Uche Anyamele

2o years gone, democracy for me is still ongoing because we can’t say it has developed the nation as we expected and we cannot say it has retarded her progress. There are bits of movement in certain quarters and sectors. The much I can say is that we are not where we used to be, we have moved certainly farther and we are hoping that we will get to this Jerusalem someday. My concern is basically about the leaders, those in government. We enjoin them to have the will power; to have the understanding that posterity will judge us all. Any time a Nigerian citizen has got an opportunity to serve, they must do it ideally, without fear or favour and as accountable as possible. Indeed we cannot be ignorance of the crisis that has been embedded among us in the form of ethnicity and religious jingoism. In our diversity there lies the strength of unity. So, for everyone who has the opportunity to serve must understand that we are indivisible, we are insoluble and we are a sovereign country and democracy must thrive. The whole world is giving away military as a form of government because freedom of expression is an inalienable right. We cannot live that regimented system; therefore we must manage what we have. I celebrate Nigeria for marking its 20th anniversary in Democracy and I know that a child of 20 years is mature enough to have aspirations and inspirations to determine where they should go.