The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has stated that the June 12 Democracy Day is a symbol of Nigeria’s long collective journey to nationhood as a true democracy.
Mr Obi who stated this on Monday in his Democracy Day message to Nigerians added that the day is a historic day that deserves to be celebrated.
“On that day in 1993, we the people of Nigeria stated our unreserved preference for true democracy”.
“Though under military rule, we freely chose a transparent voting method. Our votes reflected our true choice as a people. Our choice on that day defied divisions of ethnicity, religion and region. It is these qualities that added up to make June 12 special in our search for true democracy.”
“Our collective choice of late Chief M. K.O AbIola as a worthy leader for nation was saluted by Nigerians and governments and peoples across the world,” he explained.
He posited that the country needs to build a more credible electoral system that would command the trust, confidence and belief of all Nigerians just like June 12 did.
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Obi therefore urged Nigerians to use the commemoration of June 12 as an occasion to return to the true virtues of a truly democratic nation.
“We achieved that feat on June 12, 1993. In the spirit of June 12, therefore, we need to emplace an electoral system that commands the trust of the people. This is in recognition of the tenets and core values of democracy, which rests on respect for the wishes of the people as expressed in their ballots.
“Above all, government must respect and protect the institutions of the democratic state by respecting the social contract with the people by meeting their needs, obeying their wishes and fulfilling the responsibilities of responsible governance as contained in the constitution. A cardinal responsibility of government in this regard is respect for the rule off law” he stated.
He urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the inbuilt design of the country’s democratic system to self-correct.
June 12 is marked in our dear country as Democracy Day . It is a historic day that deserves to be celebrated. On that day in 1993, we the people of Nigeria stated our unreserved preference for true democracy. Though under military rule,
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 11, 2023
“Personally, I remain committed and convinced that a New Nigeria is POssible. Our aspiration for a nation of equity, justice, security and peace can hardly be utopia. We are a nation blessed richly with human and natural resources”.
“What we lack, are selfless leaders who are committed to national interest, sustainable development and innovative thinking that offers every Nigerian irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social strata, the freedom of choice of abode, and protection lives, property and ordered liberties”.
“These aspirations are real and achievable; and I hereby reiterate my promise to Nigerians that we will not relent in our fight to bring about a leadership that will accord them the priority they deserve”.
“Let me, therefore, on behalf of Labour Party (LP) and the Obidient Movement across the globe wish all Nigerians a happy democracy day,” he concluded.
