Africa: Of Gerontocrats, Oligarchists Or Democrats? -By Momoh Emmanuel Omeiza

Earlier this week, several social media platforms and news organizations recorded the news of the removal of the President of Mali, Ibrahim Keita by military personnel from office. This was following his refusal to step down after spending several as the President of the country located in Western Africa.

In recent times, Mali has recorded a series of uproars, political distress and civil unrest. The recent one is the military forcefully taking over the affairs of the country.

The principle of democracy as captured by its propounder, Abraham Lincoln was defined as the government of elected representatives who are in power to represent the needs and meet the demands of the electorate who have voted them into power.

In addition, Professor A.V. Dicey had also submitted that in any democratic setting, the law or the constitution is binding on all. Hence, both the leaders and the followers submit themselves to the law.
Sadly enough, the reverse is the case in many African countries.

Whereas, most African leaders have the opinion that democracy is the best form of governance, many of them are practising gerontocracy which is a government headed by the elders and the aged, and oligarchy which is a government headed by the wealthy few.

Mali’s case is just a tip of the iceberg as we have several other examples of African countries that have faced and are still facing similar challenge. Lest we forget, the late Muhammed Gaddafi was also forcefully removed from office after spending over thirty years as the President of Libya.

No wonder, Lord Acton, a British historian was quick to submit that power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Africa’s political structure of late has been regarded as dogmatic, one-sided and lopsided. It is as though, some categories of people and ethnic tribes have been destined by the gods and goddesses of politics to always be at the center and rule without consideration for others.

Many African countries are ruled by individuals who in the real sense of it are Gerontocrats or Oligarchists and not democrats. They have made themselves unremovable dictators, tyrants and authoritarians. Anyone who dares to challenge them will be sent to jail to rot.

Nigeria also which proves to be the giant of Africa is not left out of this mess. Whereas, politics is meant to be an avenue to serve the people, many of our politicians see it as a lifetime job, a family affair and an avenue to siphon public funds.

Several examples abound to prove this. The current chief of staff to President Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari is about 75 years. The President himself is close to 80 years.

Many State Governors too are former legislators who are still serving in various political offices. For instance, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State was a former speaker in the Federal house of representatives.

This and other things makes one believe that Africa as a continent is still at the infant stage of development. Africa’s system is one of putting new wines in old bottles and keeping old wines in new bottles. This on its own berates the principle of Democracy and Rule of Law propunded by both Abraham Lincoln and Prof. A.V. Dicey and the which we claim to be practising.

While in theoretical terms, the continent is said to be practising democracy as enshrined in the constitution of many countries, it is surprising that many African states have inoculated several systems of governance. An attempt to give the system a terminology would rather be a herculean task.

It is highly ludicrous and a display of absurdity in the veil of sarcasm and deceit for African political leaders to condition the minds of youths into believing that there is a paucity of hands to manage and stir the nation’s ship. Hence, the aged are needed to assist in political adminstration.

Africa in general has been known to believe in the irrational political principle of recycling. This has made many of our leaders extremely drunk with political power. Time won’t permit to talk of Robert Mugabe who even at the age of 90 years clinched to the seat of Zimbabwe’s Presidency as though it were a lifetime occupation, or of Paul Biya who is currently the sitting President in Cameroon after over 35 years in power.

How then do we want to believe the fact that the young can actually grow as we have been conditioned to accept several times? Or that we are the leaders of tomorrow like we have always sung from cradle?

While experience without mincing words is said to be the best teacher. Conversely, experience is not something to be built roughshod in the middle of the night. Thus, it is high time our leaders begin to make use of young chaps political adminstration. If truly, youths are the future and leaders of tomorrow, then I guess it’s time they be fully immersed in the stream of political culture.

If truly, the late Benedict Odiase sang that the labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain, then it is high time we take speedy action lest we be caught by the wind. I hope our leaders heed the warning.