Freedom House, America’s oldest think thank, devoted to the support and defense of democracy around the world, was formally established in 1941. It is founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people.
A Freedom House August 2021 Report, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Civic Space is shrinking and Democracies around the world are on a dangerous decline. The report named 54 authoritarian or not free States, 59 semi-authoritarian or partially free States, and 82 democratic or “free” States.
Nigeria was categorized as a semi-authoritarian State still riddled with attempts by State actors to suffocate free speech and free press so as to enable government rapacity. That is customary. Privileged people seldom give up their privileges. Leaders will always be selfish unless they are constrained to be good by active citizens. It is their role to lead us but it is, even more, our obligation to hold them accountable without relenting.
That is why I continue to say that those who genuinely demand accountability are the diadem of society. Those who think beyond their personal clefts and project their positive radiation for the good of others are a feather in society’s cap. Those who elect to remit their comfort to the vaults of oppressors in search of an equitable society are the laurels of honor and the true embers of democracy. Those who stand in the gap to be counted when power has become drunk, are the bulwark against inanities.
We must never be afraid of asking questions. It’s the most needed seasoning in the democratic buffet. If we stop asking questions, those who hate to give answers will throw a feast. We must not be afraid or relent from fomenting alternative ideas for those we have given power. It is part of our civic duties. Regardless of who has risen to the reins of power, no matter how upright the person or group of persons are, society begins to deteriorate and diminish from its glory when there are not those who ask critical questions. Therein lies the salt of democracy and egalitarianism.
In every democracy, government responsiveness and even the promptness of response are commensurate with the intensity of questions that the active citizens are ready to ask. If the citizens are conquered and intimidated into servitude, those who hold power on our behalf will assume messianic status over our lives and eventually leave it at the mercy of whims.
That is why I keep saying, never, ever be afraid of asking questions. Heaven will not fall if you ask. Even if heaven falls, it won’t fall on your head alone.
Citizen Agba Jalingo is the Publisher of CrossRiverWatch and a rights activist, a Cross Riverian, and writes in from Lagos.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Agba Jalingo, and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.
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