OPINION: Gbangba D’ekun Serves Democracy Well

Staff December 3, 2013

Having experienced military administrations, Nigerians have come to the understanding that the best form of government is democracy. The present constitution of the country (though prepared by the military) to some extent, dictates democratic tenets. Therefore, it is obvious that many states led by obnoxious politicians are still under tyranny.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, defined democracy “as government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Few days ago, Thabo Mbeki (former South African President) said: “The problem of Nigeria is not the leaders, but Nigerians”
It is only in Nigeria that a minister possesses two bullet-proof cars, worth N255 million and nobody challenges the government. This can only happen in Nigeria, not in Ghana. Although, Nigeria claims to be practising democracy, but it is not so; the government is not for the people.
The State of Osun is however an exception in this context. Since the current governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, came on board, he has demonstrated what democracy should be in several ways. Through transparency, he has shown that the government is “of the people”. He makes sure every policy amd programme of his administration is known by the people. Through Gbangba D’ekun, an interactive programme, the governor has portrayed this to its fullest. What Mr. Governor is trying to reveal through the programme is “the government is of the people, I am only here to do whatever you desire”. This to me is the essence of democracy.
Ogbeni did not stop at that, the fact remains that he gives out opportunities to the members of the public to freely express their minds on his administration’s various programmes and policies. Through this, the governor fulfills the second rule of Abraham Lincoln “by the people”. Gbangba Dekun has simply defined one other thing – PEOPLE GOVERNING. This is made possible since the government does what the People say.
Government “for the people” which is the final rule of democracy, explains itself just in one term. “Run by one man to benefit others (people)”. Truly, Ogbeni Aregbesola holds the mantle of leadership, yet, he works for the people not for himself. Employment for the youths, development of the education sector, infrastructural development, among others are done for the people.
To me, the difference between democracy and military is that, while democracy is for the people, military is for the leader. The current Peoples Democratic Party-led (PDP) Federal Government does that by not been able to give a concrete forum for the people to reach the government.
“By God’s grace, the State of Osun is moving and nothing can stop us,” says the governor. Surely, nothing can stop us from growing higher as a state, just like Lagos State and the likes, all we have to do is stick to the government of the people and lets desert the government of the pocket.
OSUN DEFENDEER