Democracy, as defined by American President Abraham Lincoln, is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Today is Democracy Day in Nigeria.
Although we were born into an era where Nigeria practices democracy, what we’ve seen as Nigerians is not a government that exists for the people. We only claim to practice democracy, but in reality, some tenets of democracy have been left unattended.
Listen to one of the authors read this commentary:
It is common knowledge that a functional press has a pivotal role to play if democracy is to be really appreciated and practiced in a democratic country.
Lessons at school taught us that the earliest attempt at journalism in Nigeria can be attributed to the British missionaries.
In 1854, Rev. Henry Townsend, an Anglican missionary, established a printing school and printing press in Abeokuta. In 1859, he established the first newspaper called Iwe Irohin fun Awon ara Egba ati Yoruba, which means “newspaper for the Egba-speaking people and the Yorubas.”
The newspaper was established with the aim of increasing literacy among native people and mainly carried local news and church announcements.
Other outlets would later spring forth, with some of the earliest drawing inspiration from the Iwe Irohin. There were notable contributions from freedom fighters like John Payne Jackson and Horatio Jackson at the Lagos Weekly Record, Herbert Macaulay at the Lagos Daily News, from Ernest Ikoli at the Daily Times, and Nnamdi Azikiwe of the West African Pilot.
These writers would also make significant contributions in Nigeria’s fight for independence and freedom from British colonial rule.
Since our independence in 1960, various newspapers have emerged, from government owned-media to private media outlets. Many contributed to holding the government accountable, keeping a watchful eye on government activities, educating the public on civil rights and providing a platform for diverse voices and political debates.
Through investigative journalism and election coverage, they helped shape public opinion and ensure transparency in governance.
But the press in Nigeria has faced challenges in carrying out its functions in a country which claims to be democratic. Issues such as government censorship, harassment of journalists, ownership bias, and restrictive laws like the Official Secrets Act have curtailed press freedom.
These challenges hinder the ability of the press to operate independently and fully support democratic ideals.
Every election, we hear promises and we see manifestos and each time like the last, we believe – we hope – that things will get better.
But each time, we’ve been met with disappointment. It leaves us with the nagging question: Do we really have a democratic system of government?
The results of several Nigerian elections have prompted a high amount of apathy, especially among younger persons.
We are left to ponder if our opinion and vote contributions really count.
How is it supposed to be a representative government if we can’t choose our leaders?
We struggle for basic things while we watch the ones we elected feast on the resources meant to be used for development. When we try to complain, our opinions are silenced and our dissatisfaction is tossed aside like it shouldn’t matter.
As young Nigerians, we yearn for a time when our leaders will lead us into posterity and honor, a time when those in power are solely interested in serving the ones who put them in positions of responsibility.
At a quarter century and still counting, what we want is a government that has our best interest at heart.
We hope that one day, we will be proud to say that Nigeria is truly a democratic country. Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria.
Chibuike Chukwuka is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Nigeria. He co-wrote this commentary and made the photograph.
Dominic Crown is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Nigeria. He co-wrote this commentary and recorded the audio.
