By Victor O. Okenini

IT is no longer a matter of controversy that America has the greatest democracy in the world. For so many years perhaps since America gained independence, the Americans have been enjoying stable governance.

The stability of the American democracy has in many ways impacted positively on the country because American leaders created a condusive atmosphere for talents and potentials to flourish.

Africa’s loss in terms of talent and potentials is America’s gain. What is meant by this statement is that instability of governance in African countries occasioned by constant interference of the military in politics, corruption, election malpractices and the sit tight syndrome of many African leaders has driven many brilliant young Africans to America where they are now settled. Professor Phillip Emegwali, the computer expert, Professor Niyi Osundare, the Nigerian literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe, the literary genius and many others have decided to settle permanently in America, hence the problem of brain drain from which Nigeria and many African countries have been suffering from.

In recent times, the Americans decided to make it very clear that as a country, Nigeria has no place in the country of nations in terms of the practice of democracy.

Nigeria suffered a serious set-back with regards to international recognition when President Barrack Obama decided to visit Ghana and not Nigeria. The contents of Obama speech in Ghana about the Ghanaian democracy and Nigeria’s abysmal failure at democratic practice are still evergreen in our memory.

Gone are the days when Ghanaians were in Nigeria mending shoes and doing other menial jobs. Like America, Ghana has recorded many milestone achievements in the practice of democratic governance. Unlike the practice of many African countries such as Nigeria where incumbency is a powerful factor in the determination of elections, the Ghanaian democracy has transcended primordial style of thinking to an extent that a member of a party that is not in power could become President Professor John Atta mills who is Ghana’s President today came on board as Ghana’s Chief Executive through an election that was conducted in the best from of civility and maturity in recent times. Surely, American and Ghana have certain things in common.

President Barrack Obama, a black man swept the American polls in one of the freest and fairest election in the world. That rare feat in America shook the entire world to it’s very foundation more so when America in the past was the headquarters of racial discrimination.

Hillary Clinton’s visit to Nigeria has continued to generate discussions across this country just the way President Obama’s visit to Ghana inspired discussions. In many ways, Nigeria suffered serious humiliation in the hands of the secretary of state. She berated Nigerian leaders for gross misgovernance and for destroying the Economic an Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The wife of the former President of America, the charismatic Bill Clinton while addressing the human rights activists and civil society said that no economic venture could prosper in an atmosphere of crisis and rancour. She bemoaned Nigeria’s inability to make commendable strides in election matters even as she added that corruption had eaten very deep into the fabric of the country.

As the current America’s Secretary of State, former first lady of America and former Presidential aspirant in America, Mrs. Clinton deserved a grand reception but Mrs. Clinton’s conduct when she arrived Nigeria could be described as a pass of a vote of no confidence in the Nigerian democracy.

While Mrs. Clinton was not keen at seeing Nigeria’s top government official’s when she arrived, she completely avoided the red carpet reception that the Nigeria’s government prepared for her. Media reports have it that the Nigerian security operatives were rendered redundant and kept in abeyance from providing security for the American Secretary of State.

Rather, it was the American Consulate in Nigeria that handled Mrs. Clinton’s security and even while leaving Nigeria, she did not even bid the Nigeria government officials who saw her off to the Airport goodbye. What a shame!

Like I earlier mentioned, Mrs. Clinton’s speech has been eliciting reactions. The Senate President, David Mark whose election into the Senate was marred with controversy was bitter with Mrs. Clinton’s speech and he did not hide his feelings.

Senator David Mark said that it was not the business of Mrs. Clinton to tell us how we should practice democracy. Senator Marks vituperations over Mrs. Clinton’s speech is laughable. Senator Mark knows very well. We have no democracy but civil rule in Nigeria. In the first place, the election that brought Senator David Mark into the National Assembly and other political office holders was defective. He knows too well that while politicians are feeding fat on the country, ordinary Nigerians are made to bear the brunt of irresponsible leadership. Senator Mark also knows that we have no credible election in this country and that the Peoples Democratic Party has become unnecessarily too powerful than other political parties in Nigeria.

I therefore see no basis for Senator David Marks anger and frivolous comments in the face of Senator Clinton’s very frank and sincere comments. What are Senator Mark’s credentials in terms of democratic experience. He has been a military man and his presence in the democratic scene has not helped matters. A responsible government should take Senator Clinton’s comments in good faith and thank her for her frank comments.

Mrs. Clinton came to tell us the truth and we must learn to take corrections and make necessary adjustments. We need such comments from time to time that would throw us into sober reflection and make us sit up. Democracy is not practiced in pretence and lies but in reality and practical terms. I therefore commend the Amazon of the American politics, Mrs. Clinton for being bold and kind enough to tell us how dirty we are. It is up to us to learn from her comments.

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