Searching for True Democracy: An African Perspective
Democracy is often hailed as the best system of governance, celebrated for empowering citizens to actively participate in decision-making. At its heart, democracy is built on ideals of rule by the people and for the people, rooted in principles like free elections, the rule of law, human rights, and accountability. Across the world, democratic systems have spurred economic growth, social development, and political stability, offering citizens a voice and curbing the monopolization of power. Democracy in Africa: A Historical Perspective In Africa, the journey towards democracy has been shaped by the continent's colonial history and the broader global movement toward multi-party systems in the late 20th century. Nigeria, for instance, transitioned to uninterrupted democratic governance in 1999 after enduring years of military rule. Like many African nations, it adopted the Western liberal democratic model, characterized by periodic elections, party competition, and individual freedo...