Nigeria’s democracy: Does power really reside with the people?

By: Gideon Alabi

Democracy is a system of government that involves popular participation, not imposed opinion. In democracy, people have the power to select the person whom they want, to govern them over a period of time.

The recent election in Osun State has raised the hope of many that there’s still power with the people as they can still elect whom they want and not imposed agenda by higher body in the government structure.

But the remark of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, as well as Fayose the former governor of Ekiti State, has left an impression that those in Federal Government cadre, over the time, had been using all means to acquire power for themselves, hence the will of the people is not popular.

In an ideal democratic system, the choice of leaders is the right of every citizen, not the will of a group who claims to have power.

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Nigerians should not allow anyone to cajole them, as their choice at the poll will have effect on them for the next four years.

They should stand their ground to elect the person they want, as they’re no longer babies that need guidance from parents. Also powerful people in the structure should please allow the will of the people stand, and not impose their choice on them. If these are considered, Nigeria’s democracy will definitely become one where popular participation is present and, the power really resides with the people.

Gideon Alabi is a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo state.