Nigeria is running a system that does not work for it. Democracy as institutionalized in Nigeria has shown itself to be alien to our culture and has been hijacked by the wealthy through the instrumentality of political partisanism. A democratic system is merely not just one standard, one-size-fits-all, as defined and employed by one nation. It needs to be envisioned as it applies to the context of a particular people and implemented to their benefit.

As the most populous black nation in the world, and arguably one of the richest countries in natural and human resources, we have still not yet truly risen to the stature of the “Giant of Africa.” In the twenty-four years of the Fourth Nigerian Republic, Nigeria has really not moved forward as a nation and has suffered from increasing economic hardship, insecurity, and corruption. A nation greatly blessed yet with its citizens not enjoying these blessings.

There is an alternative proposition, Aboriginal Democracy. “Aboriginal Democracy is a government from the people, for the people and with the people.” - Reverend Chris Okotie. It is democracy that proposes re-aligning our constitution with our indigenous way of life that functioned before colonialism. The time has come in Nigeria’s political evolution for the system to adapt to us and not vice-versa.

I encourage you to listen and watch Reverend Okotie speak about this proposition himself.

For those thinking that this is some self-aggrandizement on his part rather than a movement driven by a patriotic mindset and nationalistic burden, I ask you to consider that in the political sphere, Reverend Okotie has had every opportunity to become part of the past and present governance system and political arrangement. However, he has stood steadfast by his words and chosen to exclude himself rather than pursuing a lucrative political career. His words are not idealistic or utopian, rather they are an expression of the direction and ideology Nigeria needs to move into a new age of “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.”

I ask that as patriotic Nigerians, we advocate for an interim government of national reconciliation and reconstruction to engender aboriginal democracy in Nigeria before we descend into a national crisis. Let’s embrace the Okotie Option. #TOKO #TOKO2023