Democracy was never Meant for the Poor. By Abdulbaqi Jari

Democracy is often defined as 'the government of the people, to the people, and by the people' among the major characteristics of democracy include; timely election, right to vote and be voted, campaigns, and parliament.  looking critically at democracy in Nigeria, the developing world, and indeed the whole world, one will tend to understand that ' democracy was not meant for the poor'.

     This  is because, from setting up of political parties, primary elections, campaigns, up to general election, it is all about money, power and what both can do.  from the registration of political parties,  buying of expression of interest forms, campaign and travels, democracy did not make any arrangement for the poor except voting which he has no another option. just recently, the APC presidential candidate complain about high price of forms at the cost of 27.5 million naira, that is to high, not for the poor, with the poor and not by the poor.

   According to media reports, the sum of 21 billion naira was "donated' to president Jonathan during the lunch of his campaign funds, that is nearly one third of the budget  of some states of the federation, those that look like that was meant for everybody. I wonder whether Nigeria's democracy was meant for the cabals. Why on earth will a rich country like Nigeria ever have  poverty of to about 50 percent of the population?

    Whether monarchy, socialism, military dictatorship, democracy, or another system of government, what is most important is that, the government should be able to protect the lives and properties of people, their welfare and their overall interest. If the government cannot do that, then anarchism may triumph over the interest of the nation.

therefore, 2015    must  be a different year for Nigeria. a year of hope, reflection, peace and centenary year for rekindling a better Nigeria.