The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has expressed optimism that Nigeria is on a clear path that may lead the nation to a desired destination.
While welcoming participants to the Democracy Day Lecture at the State House, Abuja, Akume reflected on Nigeria’s democratic dispensation in the last 26 years and noted that the country was still behind in attaining the heights it envisioned
According to the SGF, it beats one’s imagination that Nigeria is celebrating 26 years of unbroken democracy, when some African countries are falling back to dictatorship or military rule.
He recalled the antecedents that culminated in Nigeria’s democratic journey, regretting that many who struggled to install democracy are gone to the great beyond, but thankfully one became the current President.
Akume said, “It is right for me to start by congratulating all Nigerians on the occasion of the 26 years of unbroken democratic rule.
“At a period when many African Countries are sliding back into Military rule and dictatorship, Nigeria is powering forward in Democratic rule. Even though we have not attained the democratic heights envisioned, we are confident that our path is straight and will lead us to our desired destination.
“Today’s celebration would not have been possible were it not for the commitment and determination of the ordinary Nigerian citizens who stood strong in the face of military oppression, brutality and rights denial.
“The June 12 struggle was a watershed as millions of our countrymen and women poured out on the streets from Lagos to Ilorin, Kaduna to Kano, Ibadan to Makurdi, Bauchi to Jos, Port Harcourt to Enugu. From the towns and villages, the cry to democracy and justice coalesced into a movement, the June 12 movement. That movement birthed Nigeria’s new democratic journey.”
“We are here today because many fought. Many died. Many were brutalised. Many disappeared. Many lost limbs. Many were Imprisoned. Many gave up all their resources and many never recovered. To all of them, we owe a debt of gratitude.
“We can only immortalise them by ensuring that we guide and guard our democracy. That we work to bring development to Nigeria. Democracy without development is empty and is bound to fail”. He added.
The theme of the 26th Democracy Anniversary Celebration is: “Consolidating The Gains Of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity Enduring Reforms.”