Periodical check and review mechanism built into democracy that allows the electorate to say ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ to a political party in power gives democracy an edge on all other systems of government. Participation of people in government.
Periodical involvement of people in decision taking on who should handle the lever of power is a token of their relevance in government. Beyond exaggeration, that token is a luxury in other systems of government, such as monarchy, aristocracy, military government and dictatorship.
In Nigeria, the electorate could be ignored, sidelined and gawked at by those in power with little or no consequence. Not in an election period. Every four years, elected political office holders-from president to governor, senators, members of House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly must present their score-cards for approval for continuation of services or rejection and giving fresh people the mandate to take over power.
That is the period most feared by politicians and political parties alike. Why? Political parties crave continuity in power once they are elected to run government machinery. The quest to monopolise power and its benefits is, however, a spur for parties in opposition to find a way to shove the party in power out of office. That is what makes democracy tick.
The rivalry, for good, raises the status of the electorate and make them voters who must be wooed and cajoled to give office seekers mandate and legitimacy. Voter’s card is just a piece of paper. Its value rests in making voters kings, at least, for a day in four years.
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