The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Democracy Day

  • At Democracy Day Banquet, Shehu Sani Tells Tinubu to Pardon Imprisoned EndSARS Protesters

    At Democracy Day Banquet, Shehu Sani Tells Tinubu to Pardon Imprisoned EndSARS Protesters

    A former senator representing Kaduna central, Shehu Sani has called on President Bola Tinubu to pardon the EndSARS protesters, who are still in detention.

    Sani made this call while speaking at a dinner marking the 2024 Democracy Day on Wednesday.

    Recall that many Nigerian youths protested across the country against the excesses of the now-disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) unit of the police in October 2020.

    After a series of protests,  many protesters were arrested in cities such as Lagos, Rivers, and Ibadan, some of whom have remained in detention.

    Reacting to the development, Sani said the Nigerian youths who protested against the SARS took after Tinubu, who, according to him, was at the forefront of the struggle for the return of civilian rule in the country.

    He saod, “Mr. President, there are some people who are still in detention as a result of EndSars’ protest. They were young people who were protesting for justice, freedom, and democracy,” Sani said at the event attended by Tinubu.

    “Any young protester in Nigeria today should learn from you because you were the father of protest in Nigeria. Do something about it. Give them the freedom; give them the pardon.”

    “You taught us; you funded us to stand up and fight. So, they are your children and grandchildren; give them pardon.”

    The former senator also urged Tinubu on the need to foster freedom, equity, and justice in the country.

    “Mr. President, I would like to draw your attention. A national anthem cannot unite a nation. A national pledge or a constitution cannot unite a nation.

    “A nation is united by the ideals of freedom; a nation is united by equity and justice. Many younger generations of today have not and couldn’t know the sacrifice we have made to restore democracy to this country.

    “It is important that we bring attention to those who were not here in those days of struggle.

    “Democracy wasn’t a gift given to us by the military. It wasn’t a lottery that we won. It was a product of struggle and sacrifice. There were people forced into exile, like the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the likes of Wole Soyinka.

    “There were people who were sent to prison like us. We are supposed to spend the first 15 years of our lives in prison, but by the magnanimity of God, we were out. There were many who were dead. This democracy is a product of struggle.

    “The Academic Staff Union of Universities made sacrifices, and the media made sacrifices. The NUPENG, headed by the likes of Frank Kokori, made sacrifices, and the National Association of Nigerian Students made sacrifices.

    “This democracy was a product of that struggle, a product of determination, and a product of sacrifices.

    “Mr. President, you have a duty to succeed. If you succeed, we will share your glory because you came from the trenches, that period of struggle. Mr. President, if you fail, they would say those of you who fought for democracy have nothing new to offer to Nigeria.”

    Vanguard

  • 2024 Democracy Day: Nigeria needs to return to a truly democratic nation – Peter Obi

    2024 Democracy Day: Nigeria needs to return to a truly democratic nation – Peter Obi

    The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has asked that the country should be returned to a truly democratic nation.

    Obi made the call in a statement on Wednesday, marking the nation’s Democracy Day.

    He said the nation can achieve the feat by collectively voting for democracy as it did on June 12, 1993.

    The former governor of Anambra State also called on Nigerians to stand in defence of the nation’s democracy and protect it from being sabotaged.

    Obi said the consequences of not being a true democracy have led to leadership failures that have resulted in uncontrolled systemic corruption, high levels of insecurity, increasing poverty rates, and unprecedented levels of hunger and hardship.

    He wrote, “As our dear nation marks Democracy Day today, commemorating 25 years of striving to be a democratic country, the fundamental question for all of us remains: are we truly democratic?

    “An unexamined life is not worth living, so it is now time to re-examine what we have been doing over this quarter of a century. Democracy, as we know, is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

    “While we may say that in 1999, we started in earnest in the right direction, today, we have deteriorated into what can be classified as classical state capture. Instead of benefiting all, it has become a deprivation to all.

    “The consequences of not being a true democracy have led to leadership failures that have resulted in uncontrolled systemic corruption, high levels of insecurity, lack of freedom of speech, increasing poverty rates, and unprecedented levels of hunger and hardship, which remain unsolved and are growing geometrically.

    “True democracy should be people-oriented, where the rights of citizens are respected, the laws are obeyed, the leaders remain accountable to the people, and people’s welfare and care, especially for the poor, become paramount and high priorities. Unfortunately, the opposite is the case in our situation.”

    The former presidential candidate also lamented some of the ratings, which he said were indications that the nation is not truly democratic.

    He added, “To further illustrate that we are not truly democratic and have only produced the vices enumerated above, we are now ranked as follows:

    “In the measurement of democracy, we have a democracy index score of 4.23, which ranks us low on the Global Democracy Index. In the Corruption Perception Index, we are ranked 145th among the 180 countries measured, showing a high level of corruption in Nigeria. In the Rule of Law Measurement, we are ranked 120th out of 142 countries measured in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, indicating that Nigeria suffers from gross disobedience to the rule of law.

    “The 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) describes Nigeria as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.

    “Nigeria ranks 112th out of 180 countries where journalists are regularly monitored, attacked, and arbitrarily arrested. We are ranked 109th out of 125 countries measured on the Global Hunger Index.

    “Let us, therefore, use the commemoration of June 12 as an occasion to return to a truly democratic nation. We achieved that feat on June 12, 1993, by collectively voting for democracy in Nigeria. We must stand in defence of Nigeria’s democracy today.”

    Obi also urged all Nigerians to respect and protect all government institutions and obey the laws of the nation.

    He added, “I urge everyone to respect and protect the institutions of the democratic state, obey the governing laws of the state, be accountable to the people, and fulfil the responsibilities of responsible governance as contained in the constitution.

    “As we build a New Nigeria, these tenets shall be the pillars of our true democracy. It is possible.”

    Punch
  • Full Text of Democracy Day Speech By Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State

    Full Text of Democracy Day Speech By Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State

    Today is a day set aside to celebrate our nation’s democracy and the associated freedoms we enjoy.

    I am proud to say that the principles of democracy, equality, justice, and the rule of law are strictly respected in Ebonyi State under my watch.

    On this Democracy Day, we honour the struggles of our past leaders who fought tirelessly to establish and sustain our democratic institutions.

    May I extend my profound gratitude to the President Commander- in – chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Assembly Members, my Brother Governors and other leaders who have concentrated their energy and grit towards stabilizing the nation’s democracy.

    I recognize the contributions of our citizens who have worked to build a more just and equitable society and I can assure you their sacrifices in enthroning democratic governance will not be forgotten

    However, I acknowledge the challenges we face and what is certain is that as a government, we recommit ourselves to addressing them.

    Let me assure you that we are committed to working assiduously to build a democracy that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people.

    Thank you, and Happy Democracy Day Celebration.

    Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB, GGCEHF
    Governor, Ebonyi State.
    June 12, 2024

  • Osinbajo, Abiola’s family absent at Eagle Square, Jonathan, Tinubu, others grace democracy day celebration

    Osinbajo, Abiola’s family absent at Eagle Square, Jonathan, Tinubu, others grace democracy day celebration

    President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are among the dignitaries that graced the annual Democracy Day celebration  Monday in Abuja.

    Buhari who arrived the Eagle Square, venue of the Democracy Day celebration at 10:12am, was received by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the State Chief of Protocol, Lawal Kazaure.

    Earlier at 09:09am, Tinubu arrived the venue and was accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, his son, Seyi Tinubu and former Minister of State, Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

    Also in attendance are the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan; the Speaker  of the House o Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, the  Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

    A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babagana Kingibe, who doubles as the running mate to the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, was also at the event.

    The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd); the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, service chiefs, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industry, including students, were also present.

    However, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Abiola’s family were conspicuously absent at the event. While Daily Sun gathered that Osinbajo was on a national assignment, to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire to participate alongside other leaders in the continent and beyond, at the annual summit of the Africa CEO Forum taking place in that country between 13th–14th of June, 2022.

    President Buhari who inspected the parade immediately and was followed by military/police March past in slow and quick time.

    The event also involved combat March display by the Nigerian Army Women Corps, combined silent drill display by the Armed Forces and Police.

    The event also witnessed Democracy Day Playlet, cultural troupe display showcasing Nigeria moving forward from the six geo-political zones.

    Also featured are the combine band/silent drill display by the armed forces and advance in review order.

    President Buhari also signed the anniversary register, followed by the parade commander leading three hearty cheers.

    (Sun)