On Democracy Day, Governors, Others Seek Unity, Sustenance of Civil Rule

By our correspondents

Several governors and other stakeholders yesterday tasked Nigerians on the need to keep Nigeria united, maintaining that there was no suitable alternative to democracy.

They also eulogised the late Moshood Abiola and his wife Kudirat for resolving to fight in the face of military tyranny and paid tributes to all those who participated in the struggle to return Nigeria to democratic rule.

LAGOS

June 12 remains watershed in Nigeria, says Sanwo-Olu

In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu  said that June 12 remained a watershed in the annals of democratic struggle in Nigeria, noting that citizens’ resistance, spearheaded by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), came with devastating consequences, of which the late  Abiola paid the supreme price.

The governor said the election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima revived the spirit of June 12 and the hope that it signified, stressing that the last presidential election de-emphasised the divisive issues of ethnicity and religion in leadership recruitment.

To sustain the spirit of June 12 and move the country forward, Sanwo-Olu said the country must discourage ethno-religious conversations in the political process, while espousing the value of purposeful leadership to tackle contemporary challenges bedevilling Nigeria.

Represented by his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos played a symbolic role in the enthronement of democracy and political development in the country, positing that the state became the epicentre of resistance against military dictatorship and suppression of civil liberties.

The governor said Lagos offered the platform for the pro-democracy campaigners to launch their activism against the military regime, adding that Lagos would continue to play prominent roles in the sustenance of liberty, constitution and fairness.

OGUN

Abiodun says Abiola remains symbol of democracy

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun,  declared that the state deserved the title of ‘Pillar of Democracy in Nigeria’, describing Abiola as the compass and symbol of democracy in the country.

He added that Ogun was blessed to have produced a personality like the late business mogul, with his enviable and enduring legacies of selflessness, doggedness, consistency and perseverance.

Abiodun called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and political affiliations to rally round Tinubu on his journey of ‘renewed hope’ as a way of rekindling the dashed hope of 1993.

Speaking at the event, a pro-democracy groups and human rights activist, Dr Niran Molaolu, specifically lauded Abiodun for sustaining the democratic ideals that the late Abiola stood for.

AKWA IBOM

Eno lauds Nigerians for making democracy work

The Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr Umo Eno,  lauded the resilience of Nigerians in ensuring that Nigeria’s democratic ethos and traditions are deepened.

He noted that the celebration of Democracy Day in Nigerian was dedicated to honouring the heroes of the nation’s democracy, championed by the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential elections.

“We salute the heroism of the symbol of our democratic struggle, the late MKO Abiola, whose ultimate sacrifice helped water the seeds of our democracy.

“It is fitting that our President Bola Tinubu was in the vanguard of that struggle, and his message to Nigerians today, especially that which calls for sacrifice on the part of Nigerians as the issues surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy are being resolved, is spot on.

“In the coming days, we would hold meetings with the relevant stakeholders, especially the petroleum products marketers  in our state to explore ways and means of ensuring that the planned palliatives are applied to cushion the effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy,” he said.

OSUN

Adeleke canvasses need to reduce poverty

The Governor of Osun state,  Ademola Adeleke,  canvassed the need for Nigerian government to tackle economic hardship facing citizens if the nation’s democracy will grow.

The governor declared that resolving national economic challenges was a condition for strengthening the democratic culture and enhancing productive participation of the citizenry.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, Adeleke posited that an economically satisfied citizenry was a strong insurance for thriving democracy and good governance.

He said: “A foundation we cannot leave out is the economic platform of the society practicing democracy. An hungry citizenry is likely to pose a serious threat to a credible electoral democratic process.

“Efforts to stabilise the economic life of the nation are also strong preconditions for an empowered citizenry. Addressing poverty and catering for citizens’ economic requirements will go a long way to enhance the potency of the population.”

BAUCHI

Mohammed maintains no alternative to democracy

The Bauchi state Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed,  declared that there was no alternative to democracy as a form of government that gives the people the right to choose who to govern them and how they want to be governed.

“There is no better alternative to democracy as a form of government that gives people the right to choose who to govern them and how they want to be governed.

“It is this democratic right of choice that puts elected governments at both the national and state levels on their toes, so as not to incur the wrath of the electorate by being voted out of power during periodic of elections,” he said.

He noted that the new mandate given to him by the people of Bauchi state to preside over the affairs of the state for another four years was a challenge to him to prove that his performance during the last four years was not a fluke.

KWARA

Abdulrazaq, Saraki task Nigerians  to sustain gains of democracy

The Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)  AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said that the best way to honour the heroes of democracy and sustain the gains of the era was to recommit to the ideals of democracy.

In a statement issued in Ilorin by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye,  he described the celebration as a watershed event that birthed the current democratic dispensation.

AbdulRazaq also urged Nigerians to rally behind Tinubu to strengthen democracy and consolidate on the gains of the past years in the area of collective security, infrastructural development, and public welfare.

Also, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki  urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the  commitment to building a Nigeria where liberty, justice, and the true spirit of democracy will flourish.

“As we commemorate Democracy Day, let us remember the essence of the system that we have chosen in conducting the governance of our country.

 “It may not always be perfect, it may not always go our way — but the beauty of democracy is that every idea and aspiration can live to re-present itself another day,” he stated.

CROSS RIVER

Otu urges support for Tinubu

The Cross River State, Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, also added his voice to those urging Nigerians to support the administration of Tinubu.

Otu made the call in a press statement containing his message to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day in Nigeria

 “Today, we join other Nigerians to mark this important day in the democratic history of our country. Having come a long way as a country, we must do even more to preserve this democracy for posterity’s sake.

“Apart from bringing the fifth consecutive democratic transfer of power from one administration to another since the beginning of the 4th Republic, it also marks the beginning of a new and critical administration in our almost 23 years of unbroken democratic experience.

“I urge you, my dear people, not only to pray for the success of the new administration but also to work and walk with us to our greatness. Let us continue to support the administration of our president,” he noted.

KATSINA

Make Nigerian democracy a model, says Radda

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State on his part, charged Nigerian leaders to strive towards making the country’s democracy a model for other African countries to emulate.

Radda who gave the advice in a statement Monday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim  Mohammed to mark this year’s Democracy Day, said the leaders should remain committed towards deepening the nation’s democracy.

He added that the democracy day should reawaken the nation leaders’ consciousness to the exigent task of building a prosperous and egalitarian Nigeria, with strong and efficient institutions of governance.

Barely 24 years after the country’s return to civilian rule, the governor explained that the root of democracy has already been entrenched in Nigeria.

He said: “That is why the present set of Nigerian leaders, especially the political class, must strive towards making the country’s democracy a model for other African nations.”

KOGI

Bello eulogises Nigeria’s founding fathers

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, eulogised  the founding fathers of Nigeria’s democracy and commended  the leaders who have worked tirelessly to uphold uninterrupted democracy since 1999.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammed Onogwu, copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday.

While acknowledging that the  journey towards democracy in Nigeria has not been without challenges, he noted that their vision, determination, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of democracy, had laid the foundation upon which the country stands today.

He said that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria had made significant strides in consolidating its democratic institutions, adding that the country had witnessed peaceful transitions of power, the expansion of civil liberties, and the strengthening of democratic processes.

“This progress is a testament to the collective will of the Nigerian people and the dedication of our leaders to the principles of democracy and good governance,” he said.

BENUE

My administration not on a witch-hunt, says Alia

The Benue state Governor,  Hyacinth Alia,  stated that his administration was not on a witch-hunt, given some of the key decisions he had taken in office so far.

The governor stated this on Monday, during a state broadcast to commemorate this year’s democracy day celebration.

Recalling the importance of June 12 and democracy in general to Nigerians,  the governor said it was at the whims of democracy that he had been given the mandate to steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.

He appreciated his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for always standing by him, as well as the market women, artisans and all who played one role or the other to ensure he was elected as Benue’s 7th governor of the state.

Speaking on some of the key decisions his administration has taken so far,  the governor explained that his decision to rescind the recruitment exercise carried out in the Benue State Civil Service by the outgone administration for instance, was because due process was not followed and the recruitment were lopsided.

IMO

Renew your faith in democracy, Uzodimma tells residents

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma on his part, urged Imo citizens and residents alike to renew their faith in democracy, insisting that the countryiwas already making progress in that direction despite all odds.

The governor who spoke on the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day 2023, advised residents of Imo State to join other Nigerians to renew their faith in the system of as the best form of government.

 Uzodimma acknowledged the fact that democracy might not have solved all the challenges facing the country, but noted that a lot of milestones had been achieved since the return of democratic dispensation in 1999.

He expressed satisfaction that in Imo State, for instance,  a lot of progress had been recorded under democratic rule, especially since January 2020.

The Governor therefore called on Imo citizens and residents to rededicate themselves to the efforts to strengthen and sustain democracy irrespective of imperfections inherent in the system.

Ekiti Speaker pays tributes to Abiola, Kudirat, others

The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, urged the people of the state and other Nigerians to keep faith in democracy to build a stronger and a more united nation.

In a message on the occasion, he said that June 12 had become Nigeria’s most  important milestone of democracy and a platform that recognises the people’s right to speak with their votes on the choice of their leaders.

He urged Nigerians to continue to defend their hard-earned democracy which he noted was watered with the blood of  Abiola, his wife and many of their compatriots who fought against the annulment of the election by the military.

The speaker also used the opportunity to pay tributes to other heroes of June 12, both living and the dead, for their sacrifices to ensuring that democracy was restored and fully entrenched in Nigeria and has continued to ensure till today.

Gani Adams urges Tinubu to relive Abiola’s dream

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams pleaded with President Bola  Tinubu to fulfil Abiola’s dreams of a prosperous Nigeria, saying that the mandate stands for justice, freedom, equity, liberty and sustainability of democratic tenets.

Adams made the appeal at the 30th commemoration anniversary of the June 12 1993 in Ogba, Lagos.

With the theme: “June 12, 1993, Identity Politics and the National Question: 30 Years After,” various speakers spoke on the need for government to ensure that democratic principles were allowed to flourish in the country.

Adams stated that the death of t Abiola was not in vain because democracy has come to stay, stressing that though there are challenges that have threatened the foundation of democracy, things could be better with proper approach.

NSCDC urges Nigerians to join in fight against insecurity

The Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi,  appealed to Nigerians to join in the fight against insecurity in order to sustain the nation’s democratic ideals.

He made the appeal in a statement he gave while briefing officers and men at the Corps’ National Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

Audi said that it was imperative for citizens to support the Tinubu’s administration by embracing his policies and programmes for a better Nigeria.

He stated that security agencies require the cooperation and support of citizens to effectively ensure national security and called on citizens to endeavour to provide credible information that could help nip crime in the bud.

NLC: Transparent election, good governance still major challenges

 The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said that despite the attainment of democratic practice, the country still had issues of transparent and credible elections, accountable governance and citizen participation to contend with.

In a message to mark this year’s democracy day, NLC said that in spite of the imperfections of Nigeria’s democracy, it remained the best option  for the nation in electing its leaders.

The statement signed by the Deputy President of the NLC,  Adewale Adeyanju, said that Nigerians were not deterred as they were united by a common resolve and destiny.

“Although the practice of democracy in our country may have fallen beyond the expectations of not a few, we take solace in the fact that we have freedom of speech and association and we elect our leaders fairly even though not perfectly, “it said.

PDP insists INEC, APC raped democracy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on its part,  urged Nigerians to use the June 12 Democracy Day to accentuate the demand for the entrenchment of democratic tenets in the country.

The party said it was distasteful, offensive and unacceptable for the nation to observe the Democracy Day under a system that it said violated, desecrated and despoiled all the tenets of democracy as witnessed in brazen rigging that characterised the 2023 general elections.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP,  Debo Ologunagba, the party said the ‘barefaced manipulations’ of the 2023 general elections amounted to an unpardonable assault and rape of democracy and disregard for the will of the people. The PDP further  said that June 12 epitomises the struggle by Nigerians against corrupt, manipulative and an anti-democratic system; against injustice, impunity and electoral fraud.

“It is indeed heartrending that all the steady progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in reforming our electoral system have been completely wiped off by INEC in the conduct of the 2023 general elections,” it added.