Govs urge continued participation in electoral process

As Nigeria marked Democracy Day on Wednesday, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas; governors and civil social organisations have called on Nigerians to continue to participate in the electoral process to deepen democracy in the country.

Nigeria marks Democracy Day on June 12, to mark the 1993 presidential election acclaimed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola. The election was described as a watershed in the history of the country.

From 1999 until 2018, Nigeria was marking Democracy Day on May 29, but ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2018, officially changed Democracy Day to June 12.

The change was made to recognise the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy, including Abiola, and to commemorate the struggle against military rule that ultimately led to Nigeria’s current democratic governance.

This year, Nigeria is celebrating 25 uninterrupted years of democracy, in a democratic dispensation that started in 1999.

Abbas, in a congratulatory message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of unbroken democratic governance, assured that more dividends of democracy would come their way soon.

In a statement issued and signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas noted that Nigeria evolved in the past 25 years, adding that, “The dividends of democracy are bound to reach more Nigerians.”

The statement read in part, “Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. The country has been navigating through the learning curves successfully; though it is not yet Uhuru, the country has continued to grow in democratic experience and practice.”

The Speaker, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, enjoined Nigerians, across tribes and religions, genders, and age groups, to continue to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the country, as he assured that Nigeria would morph into a nation that its citizens would be proud of.

The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, in a statement in Jos to mark Democracy Day, signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, called for the sustainability of democracy for the development and progress of the country

The governor said democracy remained the best form of governance where the people had the power to decide who governed them, adding, “In that regard, political stakeholders must uphold fairness, equity, justice, and the rule of law in our electoral process.”

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State congratulated the people of the state and Nigerians in a message made available to journalists in Enugu, on Wednesday.

He said despite the teething challenges, democracy remained the best form of government.

Describing June 12 as a watershed in the nation’s democratic struggles, Mbah paid tributes to notable Nigerians, including Abiola and President Bola Tinubu, for their contributions to the enthronement of the current democratic dispensation.

He enjoined Nigerians to let their commitment to upholding the democratic culture be renewed by the memory of the price paid for democracy.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, at a Democracy Day celebration held at the International Centre For Culture and Events, Akure, said, “No doubt, with the level of our political development in the last 25 years of stable democracy in this Fourth Republic, we can conveniently state that, the sacrifices of the patriotic heroes and unyielding martyrs of the June 12 struggles who challenged the criminal injustice, defied the tyranny and brutality of power by the then military dictatorship in defence of the invaluable ideals of democracy, have not been in vain, as democracy has become the defining essence of our political engagements and culture.”

The governor also expressed the commitment of his administration to delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, commended Nigerians for upholding the core tenets of democracy for over 25 years, noting that efforts at democratic consolidation would engender sustainable development in the country.

In a statement, the governor also charged voters in the state to come out en masse to participate in the September 21 governorship election and vote wisely, to sustain the developmental trajectory in the state.

“We have come a long way in this journey. Though we might not be where we wish to be as of today, we are better off as a nation. Democracy remains the most desirable form of government because of its core principles of free will, free enterprise, civil liberties, fairness and justice.

“We have grown as a democratic nation over the years and all credit for the progress we have made goes to Nigerians who continue to respect the tenets of democracy as the best choice to attain sustainable development,” he said.

The Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, in his Democracy Day message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, called on Nigerians to remain resolute and steadfast in the collective journey to sustain democratic governance.

The governor noted that the commemoration of Democracy Day must go beyond a day in the calendar but an auspicious opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on the resilience, strength, and unwavering spirit of heroes who had made sacrifices to establish and sustain democracy in the country.

“As we celebrate Democracy Day and 25 years of uninterrupted civil rule in Nigeria, we salute the courage and determination of those who paved the way for the democratic governance we experience today. We must continue to honour their memory and pledge to uphold the principles for which they stood by ensuring that citizens continue to enjoy the freedom of choices and access to justice and the rule of law as enshrined in democratic principles.

“But beyond that, our people must be empowered to have decent lives by making our resources work in their interest and giving them opportunities to participate in economic activities at all levels,” Ododo said.

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, said democratic governance would continue to thrive in the state, with the concern the appointed and elected public officeholders had been showing for the welfare of the masses.

Speaking in Ikirun, at the empowerment programme sponsored by the member representing Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo Otin Federal Constituency in the House Representatives, Mr Olusoji Adetunji, on Wednesday, the governor said with the right people in positions of authority, democracy would continue to thrive.

Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Bayo Ogungbangbe, said, “I have instructed all elected and appointed public officers in the state to return to their various local governments and constituencies and take care of the needs of their people.”

The lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, called on Nigerians to embrace unity, love and respect for one another and to deepen their engagement in participatory democracy.

He also urged the citizens to guard against antidemocratic tendencies and ensure that democratic values and culture were firmly entrenched at all levels of society.

In a signed statement made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State, by Dafinone on Wednesday, the lawmaker said, “Nigeria’s 25 years of unbroken democratic rule is a testament to the resilience, dedication and unwavering commitment of the Nigerian people to the principles of democracy and freedom.

“Furthermore, I call on all citizens to deepen their engagement in participatory democracy. It is our collective responsibility to guard against antidemocratic tendencies and ensure that our democratic values and culture are firmly entrenched at all levels of society. Let us hold our leaders accountable, participate actively in the democratic process, and foster an environment where every Nigerian feels valued and heard.”

Also, the National Assembly caucus of Benue State and the Federal Appointees Forum, on Wednesday, described Tinubu as one of the country’s living heroes of democracy, and an exemplary leader committed to the peace and progress of Nigeria.

The caucus also commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for his part in championing good governance across all tiers of government.

In a statement issued to mark Democracy Day, the spokesman of the group, Mr Philip Agbese, lauded Tinubu’s efforts in promoting economic growth, good governance, and social justice.

The group pledged readiness to continue to support and collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure the realisation of the shared vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria.