As Nigeria marked Democracy Day, yesterday, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, called for resilience in the nation’s journey for justice for all citizens.
This is even as a coalition of Non Governmental Organisations under the auspices of Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) urged political leaders nationwide to prioritise welfare and interests of the people above personal and party agenda.
Ododo, in his goodwill message charged Nigerians to remain resolute in the collective journey to sustain democratic governance, rule of law, and demand for justice from those in positions of authority at all levels.
The governor advised that the celebration must go beyond “a day in our calendar” and serve as an auspicious opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the resilience, strength, and unwavering spirit of heroes who have made sacrifices to establish and sustain democracy in the country.
Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State also urged fairness and justice in electoral process. He congratulated the prople for accepting democracy as the best model of governance, suing for its sustenance for the development and progress of the country.
In a statement in Jos, yesterday, by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, to mark the celebration, the governor recalled: ‘It was on that day in 1993 that Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and regional divides came together to vote, symbolising a collective desire for democratic leadership.”
He said June 12 also honours the memory of the 1993 presidential elections regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history, stating that democracy remains the best form of governance where the people have the power to decide who governs them.
The governor continued: “As we commemorate this day, we should also acknowledge the strides we have made in establishing democracy as Nigeria’s governance model. In that regard, political stakeholders must uphold fairness, equity, justice, and the rule of law in our electoral process.”
Mutfwang paid glowing tributes to the nation’s patriots who struggled, and even made the supreme sacrifice, for Nigeria to return to democratic rule, pointing out that through their relentless efforts, the most populous black nation has experienced 25 years of uninterrupted and transformative leadership since the inception of the current democratic dispensation.
The governor called on political leaders to prioritise the welfare and security of the people, as well as work towards safeguarding the country’s unity.
Acknowledging the security and economic hardships the citizens are going through, Mutfwang appealed for patience, pledging his administration’s commitment to transparent, accountable and inclusive governance.
