ON THE CRAZE OF DEMOCRACY

I have been rethinking the gains and pains of democracy, especially in recent generations in this our geographical clime.

When we say that government should be of the people, by the people, and for the people, we need to consider that we are making government a people business.

Notwithstanding the profoundness of its definition set forth by the iconic Abraham Lincoln, we need to consider the context it works best and hence, avoid overstretching its boundaries.

For example, Abraham Lincoln had every right to describe democracy that way because he epitomized its very essence, but in Africa today, it only makes the people vulnerable and national/continental development an Utopian dream.

Democracy structures politics as a business transaction between aspiring individuals and the people.

And when you underscore the fact that the masses that always make up the majority are usually partially educated and cannot appropriate their interest well enough to make choices based on facts and futuristic perspectives, you can be sure that they are bound to sell themselves cheap. That is one evil of our generation.

Government has been reduced to slavery – the very opposite of true leadership because human interests (especially unintelligent ones from weak men) are involved.

True leadership will only be seen when men who are secure in themselves emerge. The mode of their emergence is not what matters most; their credibility is. Leaders have emerged from military, monarchy, etc. and have done well.

While transactions are inevitable between leaders and the people, true leaders help the people to see correctly and make right choices. They are interested primarily in enriching the people, not themselves. They use their privileged power to empower others; they give to live.

And I dare say that a man willing to lead a people, especially as large and significant as a nation, should be ready to pay the supreme price for them if need be.

When shall we see one?

May God send us true leaders!