PEPT: We Live In A Country Where Cows Are More Important Than Human Beings – Ozekhome

A human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome has said that Nigeria is not practising true democracy as elections do not reflect the wishes of the electorate.

Ozekhome, who spoke at the 22nd edition of the annual Bishop Mike Okonkwo Lecture in Lagos, also said Nigeria was bleeding and required urgent action from the ruled and rulers.

He pointed out that the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has shown that Nigeria does not practice true democracy.

Ozekhome stated that the nation’s political governance started going downwards since  1966.

The lawyer argued that despite 24 years of uninterrupted democracy, serious issues that threaten the stability of the nation abound.

He lamented that Nigeria is a country where cows are more cherished than human beings.

Ozekhome explained that national/state political actors have captured Nigeria and they decide what happens in the country without reference to the populace.

His words: “This is 24 years of uninterrupted democracy. However, issues of national concern still abound that place the stability of the nation under conscious threats.”

“Nigeria is a nation still seeking nationhood at 63. Can we really say we are experiencing democracy? Nigeria is a country where cows are more cherished than human beings. It is even a country where vehicle owners wait for cows to cross the road.

“We practice electionocracy, a process in which people select their leaders. Nigeria is a country without democratic dividend for the people. Nigerians have not reaped the dividends of democracy. We do not elect our leaders but select them.

“We saw it yesterday (Wednesday) at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. It is called judocracy, it is a process in which people vote but their votes do not count. We don’t practice democracy in this county. We have people that have stolen mandates governing us. We have rulers in the country and not leaders.”

To achieve ‘Nigerianisation’, Ozekhome recommended a homegrown Constitution made by the people rather than an imposed one.

“We need a Constitution with Nigerians’ input. We need to do away with the 1999 Constitution and come up with a new one produced by the people.

“We need to remove ethnicity and religion. We need a credible election process to elect new leaders,” he added.