Democracy Day: Implement true democratic culture – AA urges Tinubu
Democracy Day: Implement true democratic culture – AA urges Tinubu
By: Femi Mustapha
The Action Alliance Party, (AA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to implement true democratic culture by ensuring that his administration works to protect and defend citizens’ democratic rights.
National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, made the call in his message to mark the 30th anniversary of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential elections on 11th June, 2023.
Omo-Aje said President Tinubu
can demonstrate his avowed belief in democracy if he selflessly delivers the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians regardless of social status or ethnic, religious and political affiliations.
He added that the only way citizens’ longstanding aspirations and hope in true democracy, encapsulated in the long-drawn struggle against the de-annulment of June 12 could be met, is when Nigerians can choose their leaders in a free, fair, and transparent process devoid of violence, ethnic and religious hatred.
According to him, the Democracy Day celebrated today stands as a symbol of Nigerians’ steadfast struggle against military despotism for democratic governance.
He added that while it is important to recognize and honour the heroes of this remarkable struggle, as past regimes have done, “we believe that far more important is the need for Nigerians to fully enjoy their democratic rights in the selection of who governs them.
“They also must begin to feel the dividends of democracy for which they sweated, struggled and died during those long years of street battles and protests against the military rule.
“It has been over 24 years since democratic rule was restored in Nigeria, but it is arguable whether the form of governance that exists in Nigeria today can be described as a democracy or simply civilian rule.
“While there has been some marked progress in terms of a thriving multiparty democracy and regular elections, Nigeria’s record of human rights violations has not fundamentally improved.
“Instead, since 1999, Nigeria has experienced systematic attacks on democratic rights, attacks on the opposition, shrinking civic space, arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions, torture and extrajudicial killings by security agents, as well as suppression of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, violation of the principles of separation of powers, assault on the judiciary and press freedom.”
Omo-Aje while congratulating Nigerians on the celebration, said AA will continue to ensure that the dividends of democracy get to the nooks and the crannies of the country and the sacrifice of the actors of June 12 are not in vain.
