AS Nigerian's celebrates Democracy Day today, some senior citizens want the authorities to take practical steps to tackle the scourge of poverty, unemployment and corruption threatening the fabrics of the nation.
Deputy Senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Senator Bukola Sraki; a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, among others, in separate statements, agreed on the need to sustain the uninterrupted 14 years of democratic process.
Atiku noted that the level of poverty and unemployment constituted the greatest challenge facing democracy in the country, while he called for proactive measures against the scourge.
He said no committed leader would spend 14 years giving excuses for his failures to deliver, adding that blaming past military rule was no longer tenable.
“The success of democracy cannot be measured in terms of how well the leaders live, but how well the voters are doing economically, socially and materially,” Atiku stated.
He added that “there is a limit to which leaders could convince the people to remain patient, especially at a time the lifestyles of leaders create an island of opulence surrounded by a sea of alarming poverty.”
He said when the electorate entrusted the leaders with their mandate, they did so with the hope that democracy would become a veritable vehicle to change their living conditions.
The former vice president aligned himself with the opinion of the late Professor Chinua Achebe, who said “Nigeria is what it is because the leaders are not what they should be.”
On his part, Ekweremadu assured that the ongoing constitution amendment exercise would help deepen the nation’s democracy and strengthen its federalism.
He described Nigeria’s 14 years of uninterrupted democracy as “challenging, but historic and rewarding.”
He said democracy was not an event, but a process that would continue to mature over time, through collective efforts and determination of the citizens.
“While we may not be where we want to be in our democratic experience, it is good news that we are certainly not where we used to be before May 29, 1999.
“We have made progress, especially in the areas of freedom, electoral processes and the independence of federal legislature. And I have no doubt that the current constitution review exercise will help deepen our democracy and strengthen the nation’s federal system,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Senator Saraki called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious, socio-political, economic persuasions to continue to work and sustain the hard-won democracy.
“We must be courageous, determined and strive to put a democracy in place that other nations emulate.
“Today, we celebrate the 14th year of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria, marking the beginning of a leadership that is inclusive and represents the interest of every Nigerian.
“In every corner of our country, this special day reminds us of the valour, vision and dream of passionate Nigerians from all parts of the country, who came together in unity of purpose to ensure a well deserved democratic rule after a long and tough military rule.
“In retrospect, the last 14 years have been filled with many challenges, the nation has been faced with tough times. Yet our history shows these are not insurmountable.
“We only need to draw from the perseverance of those before us. Like I said many months ago, our dark days as a nation are over and the bright days are here,” he said.
According to Saraki, “I know, as a patriotic citizen, Nigerians really don’t anticipate the solution to every problem from the government; they don’t anticipate those of us in National Assembly to agree on all issues.
“But certainly, Nigerians expect and deserve for us to put the people’s interests first by setting aside our personal differences, to create an enabling environment that will allow us all to live peacefully, businesses to flourish and maintain total respect for the rule of law.”
Senator Saraki also celebrated every Nigerian, at home and in the diaspora, including those he said had been witch-hunted for standing for the truth and who played important roles in attaining and maintaining the democratic system.
Similarly, Baraje described democratic rule as the best system of government in spite of all odds, adding that what the people needed was patience and more understanding with their leaders.
He, however, urged those in the position of responsibility, particularly politicians, to always have the fear of God and redeem their electioneering pledge.
Baraje, who is the chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), urged those who did not believe in the oneness of the country to have a change of mind and be prayerful, so that Nigeria could be a great entity again.
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