SENATE President David Achelenu Mark in Prague, Czech Republic, said military rule was gone forever in Nigeria. Mark thrilled his audience with Nigeria’s efforts to sustain democracy after it has run uninterrupted civilian administrations for 14 years.

Many share his optimism. More still needs to be done. Nigerians would like to know how the Senate is sustaining democracy. Nigeria’s democracy thrives on optimism, not the Constitution. The ephemeral optimism that forms the foundation of our democracy makes an objective assessment of our democratic progress more challenging.

How has the average Nigerian gained from civilian rule when the basic rights that the Constitution awards him are breached relentlessly?

People are undergoing civilian dictatorship, in very dangerous forms. The danger lies in their subtlety. Freedom of speech and association are being abridged. Permissions are required to assemble and to exchange ideas. Whether they are licensing for media or police permits for gatherings, the abnegation of these to the freedoms our Constitution guarantees, are telling indicators of our democratic journey in 16 years.

How many Nigerians have access to their representatives? How many legislators reflect the aspirations of their peoples in positions they present at the assemblies? How are Nigerians involved in their 16-year-old democracy?

Nigerians want more involvement in their governments. Many of them have great ideas that can change the country, only if they have a chance to share the ideas. How would their ideas matter when their representatives live away from them? How would their representatives know their conditions when they live – at public expense – above the hurting circumstances of the people?

Denial of rights is reflected in many illegalities that the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly have imposed on Nigerians on what we consider the two most important laws that have been passed since 1999.

First is the Child Rights Act (2003) which would have given the Nigerian child enforceable laws that could improve the society. The Freedom of Information Act (2011) awards Nigerians the right to information. These are the only federal laws being subjected to the approval of States.

Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution states, “If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.”

Then Section 4(5) re-emphasises it,“ If any Law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other Law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.”

The National Assembly cannot remain silent in this constitutional desecration and dictatorship.