Today is Democracy Day in Nigeria. It is an annual public holiday established in 1999 to commemorate the ending of years of brutal military rule. This year’s celebrations come just a few weeks after the presidential elections when for the first time in the country’s history the incumbent president was voted out of power in multi part elections that were relatively free, fair and without violence.
But while Nigerians celebrate freedom from coercive governance and controls, and the relative peace it has brought, democracy in Nigeria is severely limited. The country is still ruled by a small entrenched power elite with undue power and influence on the political parties. Democracy has not brought about the good the country seeks. Nigerians are still hostage to the greed of oil companies, corruption is endemic in the economy and systems of government, the health and education infrastructures are inadequate and millions of Nigerians are living on $2 a day despite the country’s massive wealth and resources. There is a tendency for the financially well-off to detach themselves from the political maelstrom and live in protected communities away from the turmoil outside.
Yes Christians will cheer for democracy for providing the greatest good for the greatest number. But as attested by the experience of Nigeria our hope for the good of all cannot rest on the democratic process.
Christians are called to be good citizens within the democratic system, to be salt and light in the communities they live in. We are called to seek justice, care for the Poor, the oppressed and the marginalised. We are called to witness to the Kingdom of God.
On this Democracy Day, let us celebrate the one is who King of kings and Lord of lords, who is sovereign over all earthly sovereign and systems of this world. And whose Kingdom is perfect freedom, justice and peace. We are called us to serve him as our Saviour, Master and King. As Christians we are pledged to the Kingdom proclaimed by Jesus.
