PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Nigeria: Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria, not yet Uhuru
Lagos, Nigeria, (PANA) - The Nigerian political class has been urged to work towards building a strong nation where peace, security, justice, equity, fairness and economic prosperity will reign.
This is part of the views of a cross-section of Nigerians on the celebration of 15 years of continuous democratic rule in Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy.
“It is true that we have had democracy in the last 15 years, but what have we got to show for it today? There is a high degree of insecurity, unemployment, kidnapping, corruption and disaffection because the political class has not lived up to expectation,” said 45-year-old Tunde Adebayo, in an interview.
Nigeria's recent journey to democratic rule after a prolonged military rule began on 29 May, 1999, with the swearing-in of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the second civilian executive President.
The 15 years of democracy also marks the same length of time the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been at the helm of affairs at the national level.
But 15 years into civilian rule, many Nigerians believe that the political class has not demonstrated the expected high sense of good governance, probity, accountability and transparency needed in steering the affairs of the country.
Aggregate opinion in Nigeria on Democracy Day is the need for peace, security, stability and peaceful co-existence based on tolerance.
Many people have expressed worry over the apparent lack of love and tolerance among politicians with the result that crisis, bloodshed and anarchy are being let loose in different parts of the country.
A political analyst, Dr. Chijioke Nwazumba, said that the crop of leaders that had taken over since 1999 was yet to exhibit the needed commitment, dedication and sincerity to make life bearable for the people.
”As things are now people are wondering if Nigeria has benefited from our democracy since 1999. I think it is important for those at the helm of affairs to change gear and rearrange their attention to those issues that can make our country really democratic, reduce poverty, create wealth and improve the security situation,” he added.
A human rights activist, Waheed Adediran, said enhancing the nation's democratic stature called for sincerity from the political class to ensure the credibility of the electoral process and eradication of all forms of corrupt practices.
”To be candid, we are not yet there. We are not yet where we are supposed to be, given the nation’s potentials and resources. If you recall what happened in 1999 to 2003, 2007, 2011 polls, we are not yet there in terms of the conduct of elections. Another general election is coming next year, it is important that we get it right,” he said.
Nigerians also urged political office holders to exhibit patriotism and see the fight against terrorism as collective one to save Nigeria from instability.
They charged the Nigerian Government to work towards the release of the more than 200 school girls abducted by the terror group, Boko Haram.
Nigerians, however, note that the end of military rule has brought about a new era of regular elections, return of civil liberties, free press and end to arbitrary arrest and torture.
Democracy day is an annual public holiday in Nigeria, which commemorates the return to democracy in 1999 after many years of military rule.
-0- PANA SB/MA 29May2014
This is part of the views of a cross-section of Nigerians on the celebration of 15 years of continuous democratic rule in Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy.
“It is true that we have had democracy in the last 15 years, but what have we got to show for it today? There is a high degree of insecurity, unemployment, kidnapping, corruption and disaffection because the political class has not lived up to expectation,” said 45-year-old Tunde Adebayo, in an interview.
Nigeria's recent journey to democratic rule after a prolonged military rule began on 29 May, 1999, with the swearing-in of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the second civilian executive President.
The 15 years of democracy also marks the same length of time the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been at the helm of affairs at the national level.
But 15 years into civilian rule, many Nigerians believe that the political class has not demonstrated the expected high sense of good governance, probity, accountability and transparency needed in steering the affairs of the country.
Aggregate opinion in Nigeria on Democracy Day is the need for peace, security, stability and peaceful co-existence based on tolerance.
Many people have expressed worry over the apparent lack of love and tolerance among politicians with the result that crisis, bloodshed and anarchy are being let loose in different parts of the country.
A political analyst, Dr. Chijioke Nwazumba, said that the crop of leaders that had taken over since 1999 was yet to exhibit the needed commitment, dedication and sincerity to make life bearable for the people.
”As things are now people are wondering if Nigeria has benefited from our democracy since 1999. I think it is important for those at the helm of affairs to change gear and rearrange their attention to those issues that can make our country really democratic, reduce poverty, create wealth and improve the security situation,” he added.
A human rights activist, Waheed Adediran, said enhancing the nation's democratic stature called for sincerity from the political class to ensure the credibility of the electoral process and eradication of all forms of corrupt practices.
”To be candid, we are not yet there. We are not yet where we are supposed to be, given the nation’s potentials and resources. If you recall what happened in 1999 to 2003, 2007, 2011 polls, we are not yet there in terms of the conduct of elections. Another general election is coming next year, it is important that we get it right,” he said.
Nigerians also urged political office holders to exhibit patriotism and see the fight against terrorism as collective one to save Nigeria from instability.
They charged the Nigerian Government to work towards the release of the more than 200 school girls abducted by the terror group, Boko Haram.
Nigerians, however, note that the end of military rule has brought about a new era of regular elections, return of civil liberties, free press and end to arbitrary arrest and torture.
Democracy day is an annual public holiday in Nigeria, which commemorates the return to democracy in 1999 after many years of military rule.
-0- PANA SB/MA 29May2014
