The metamorphosis of khaki to Agbada politics in Nigeria is stifling democratic gains which has led to this critical question, what should be done to a lion that has tested human blood?
There are no easy way to the above question. In the most extreme, it falls on the rangers to make the last minute call for the continued security of the community. In Nigeria after the demise of the military rule, it much feels like nothing much has changed. The mentality is much the same-matching orders are constantly issued, from executive to legislative, like the military never vacated the space. Recently in Algeria, even though the population got to test democracy, dislodging the military from previously occupied political space is proven an incomparably task and much difficult to achieve. Nigeria like many countries that has experienced military test of power, they remain a challenge to sustaining the gains of democracy. In Nigeria, the brutality of civilians population continues unabated. The society lives under fear, ‘watch what you say, to whom, so to belong you dire not speak against the security forces or else, you have yourself to blame.’ Consider using the word revolution, the government would surely fish you out. Where then is freedom of speech, expression or otherwise as the constitution specified?
A close look at the structure of leadership that has emerged since independence, one would be shocked to what is found. The players in the space of leadership happened to be those who prosecuted the civil war of the late 60’s. From Gowan, Mutala, Obasanjo, Buhari, Babangadi, Abacha to the present with exception of Shagari, Shonikon, Yaradua and Goodluck. The combined years for this Nigerian civilians rule were more or less around 10 years. So in all, we have had a combined total of over 25years for military and metamorphosed military reign of 13years.The next question would be, are we really in a democratic dispensation where a true and proper civilian government emerges outside of former military strongman to unwind the fear that has stifle good governance? Though this is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, most States that were hotbed of military regime or control of government at one point or another are struggling to untangle themselves from the scorch of such rules. I call it a scorch because there remains, lack of accountability, mismanagement and wanton brutality within these society. Even where a civilian government emerges, they are micromanaged not to offend the security apparatus.
The rate at which the ex-military personnel hungry for power switch in Agbada since the world shunned coup is becoming a new normal within developing countries. The problem is that, it endangers the possibilities of true democracy in these parts of the world. From Pakistan, Sudan, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Thailand and many look alike democratic state, the tread is taken shape and unfortunately is overlooked by even Western states which unwittingly is courting these autocratic leaders on accounts of self interest. The Thailand scenario was described as a, ‘Crude mockery of democracy,’ the implications are severe given the dangers posed by these regime who continues to inflict untold psychological pain on the lives of ordinary civilian population. Many in these states remain constrained, reactive increasing future chances of instability and possibly insecurity-Nigeria and Egypt as a ticking time bomb.
There is nothing like military lead democracy and we are witnesses to the carnage in Sudan most recently were close to 118 protesters were murdered by the RSF-a Janjaweed, a paramilitary group that supports the ruling military. The benefits to military engineered democracy is yet to yield any positive reap off for any society of modern memory. They are an elite within elite with huge wealth and status to protect, so there continued participation in politics is meant to preserve, save or protect such ill begotten wealth.
The event in Thailand and those of Sudan should serve as a wake up call to why it is important that international community should consider placing heavy burden through sanctions on ex-militocracy, a new means to usurping power without bullet. It is important that much be done to increase civilian control of the military since they are not accountable by virtue of their guns.
A close study of the countries that were ones under such forms of rule would indicate absence of robust civilian participation which is a common phenomenon in many of these states like Nigeria. The lack of tolerance by the security forces remains a clear manifestation and an indication to an environment of fear and intimidation under which such that state operates. For instance, the planned protest by ‘Revolution Now group, was brutally crushed two day after its leader was arrested by men of Nigeria DSS with a trumped up charge.
The beauty of democracy is in its ugliest ethos ‘agree to disagree.’ To intervene means upending a flourishing process of learning to better through mistakes. For developing states like the ones mentioned above practice makes perfect should signify and amplify the process and approach to building solid democracy which is without Force- khaki politics.
Metamorphosis and operations of khaki morphed Agbada political elite in democratic space isn’t a good sign for countries with long history of military brutality. Irrespective of the ugliness of tyranny by either the majority or minority, the beauty lies on,political negotiations between civilian stakeholders. Nothing involves force, as such, civilian should be given the opportunity and space to correct their mistakes. Disregarding the shenanigans of politicians elite, a flawless constitutional established order is meant to guide the process without a messianic militocracy to the rescue. It remains a setback for proper constitutional democratic order of development. The psychology of a military personnel differs from that of an ordinary civilian and it complicates the more when it involved in the day to day running of any state not to mention Nigeria even after the khaki has been displaced. The orientation of the military is not meant to help in political civilian democracy and can’t be helpful either if we hope to build a lasting democratic state we can all be proud of. Their role end in defense of nations sovereignty while involvement in politics takes them far away from achieving such.
Finally, civilians should avoid courting the retired military as though their is anything meaningful to learn from the brutal uncivilized approach to governance.
(This piece was inspired from traveling between Nigeria and Ghana, how the benefits of democracy differs between both nations).
Ezemedolu Celestine holds BA in International Relation and BA.Hons in International Politics
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