The Enone Congressman, a perfect reason for celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Nigeria’s Democracy!

Ordinarily, one would have coursed this day, the June 12th cum new democracy Day in Nigeria, for several glaring facts, most of which are inflicted on the Nigeria Citizens by their own successive governments and administrations.

From a few harsh economic policies; disdain to the country’s Labour Force, to such extent that inflation from the economic policies could just consume the wage or salary of the average Nigerian Labour within 24 hours of his credit alert even if there was no debt on ground, the domestic and family cares, would have!

Conversely, the insecurity level in the country particularly the metamorphosis of the religious ideological sect, known as the Bokoharam sect into Bandits and banditry and marauding Herdsmen, worsen and threatens the sanctity of life and livelihood in Nigeria! The insecurity has made the abject poverty index a child:s play, if not, such hopeless situation due to inflation on goods & services that the common citizens cannot afford amidst plenty that’s daily being walloped by unpatriotic Citizens in powers across the Arms of government, is now seen as tip of the iceberg when compared to the defenseless deaths that have taken the lives of thousands of our loved ones by these marauding Herders and Bandits! Statics shows that in the North Central alone, from 2016 to this 2024, more than 4000 persons have been killed by these marauding Herders alone!

We can add to it that while the Labour Force justles with successive governments about the issue of either minimum or living wage we have the daredevil unemployment rate that’s statistically placed at 5% in 2024 for youth, and over 18% for the general unemployment rate in the country!

In a nutshell, our democracy has been that of lamentation since the past 25 years of this 4th democratic dispensation from 1999.

Today, in the Radio Studio of the Eagles FM 102.3, in the Federal Capital City, Abuja, I reflected that thus far, the only thing to celebrate about our democracy, is the non-military interference with the democratic processes! However, in every democracy, there must be Pathfinders in one or all the Arms of democratic government, namely, the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary, for which one could adjudge or celebrate such a democracy as great hope of the nearest future of our country; such a Pathfinder is the Enone Servant, the Congressman for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Chief Hon Philip Agbese Ph.D, he is the Deputy Spokesperson of the Nigeria’s House of Congress; he is an epitome of legislative and Youth representation in positive light; he has shown capacities and dexterity in the course of representing us at the NASS; his benevolent of paid and payable appointment of over 67 Constituents in his first tenure, has endeared us to liking the democracy which we had almost given up on; his humble attitude amd political tutelages has given us hope in our democracy; he has passed to us, his Constituents, the white Candle given to him by the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen; all the opportunities and supports from his colleagues in the House, as well as that of the Chairpersons of the House Committees that he belongs as either Member or statutorily, so far, he delivered to us his Constituents; he never held back any Constituency project, palliative or succur extended to us by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu under whose administration he serves as a Congressman.

Chief Okanga as he is traditionally called, has redefined democratic laws of inclusion like Mr. President himself, by appointing members of opposition parties, into his Appointees as Senior Legislative Advisers and Aids!

Under one year of this administration, the Congressman Philip Agbese ‘s pragmatism deferred all critics, and his Legislative insight has made the House of Representatives, considered his bill for the establishment of a College of Agriculture in Agila, the very Constituency he represents to have passed two Readings and a public hearing, ready for Mr. President to assent already!

So, we are certain that if the Speaker of the House of Representatives, could have such democratic Pathfinder and Icon in this 10th National Assembly, he definitely has more like the Enone Servant and Congressman is the same Assembly, then we have a course to celebrate the anniversary of our democracy as we have the hope that with these calibres of LawMakers, the Nigeria’s journey in democracy, shall be redefined soon as truly for the masses and citizens of this country.

Engr Dan Atayi writes this opinion from the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency where Chief Philip Agbese Ph.D, represents in the Nigeria’s House of Representatives.