June 12: Democracy making steady progress – Lagos lawmaker
The lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 2 in Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Setonji David, says democracy is making steady progress in Nigeria.
David stated this on Monday while commemorating Nigeria’s 2023 Democracy Day in Badagry.
The lawmaker said, “We are making steady progress in our democratic process in Nigeria.
“Government is transiting from one tenure to another after the people have freely given their mandate since 1999.
“That’s a huge progress and we must all imbibe that spirit of freedom and respect for our choices.
“Since 1999, we have been consistent in this process which is quite commendable,” he said.
On the high cost of conducting elections and salary for the elective office holders, the lawmaker disagreed that the cost of democracy was on high side.
“The cost of democracy is not high, it is the pervasive corruption that makes it look high.
“What is killing this country is corruption and until we face it headlong and eradicate or minimise this cankerworm, this country will never make the desired progress,” he said.
On Democracy Day celebration, David said: “June 12 is the true Democracy Day because that was the day the people in their millions voted massively for who they wanted to be their president but that great event was thwarted by the military junta.”
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari on June 6, 2018, declared June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day instead of May 29 in honour of late Chief M.K.O Abiola.
Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election died in detention for an alleged treason.
The declaration followed many years of agitations by civil society groups that Abiola must be immortalised.
According to Buhari, the change was to remind all Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner along with Nigerians were denied their rights and their choices.
NAN/N.O
