The Nigerian Government says the nation’s Democracy is fast growing with all the requisite tenets.
The country’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this in Abuja at a Media briefing to announce the activities lined up to commemorate this year’s June 12 Democracy Day.
The Minister said the country has a lot to celebrate with 23 years of uninterrupted democracy and its citizens reaping dividends of civil rule.
He said; ”1993 was a watershed in the history of the country when the first free and fair elections was conducted which was later annulled on June 12 same year by the military
“After the annulment of the 1993 elections, which brought Nigeria to the brink, the country was also ruled by the military for another six years.
”The return to democracy in 1999, the country has not witnessed any military incursion.
”Between 1999 and 2008 we celebrated Democracy Day on May 29 and that was the day the military handed over power after a lot of disruption.”
According to him, no government before now had the courage to declare June 12 as democracy day but It took the courage of President Muhammadu Buhari to do so.
He said; ”We are also celebrating the day to pay tribute to MKO Abiola, the winner of the 1993 Presidential election, and also to other Nigerians who lost their lives during the struggle.”
Reeling out activities lined up for the celebration, Mohammed announced that the press briefing kick-started activities for this year democracy day, followed by a public lecture and Jumat service on Friday at the National Mosque, Abuja.
He said; ”on Sunday, June 12, there would be presidential broadcast in the morning by 6am (local time) and a Church Service at the National Christian Centre at 3pm.
”Then on Monday, there would be a Ceremonial Parade to be held at the Eagle Square starting from 9am.”
The Minister further stated that attendance at all the events was strictly by invitation and in line with the Covid 19 protocol.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in June 2018, directed that Nigeria’s Democracy Day, marked every May 29, be shifted to June 12 to honour MKO Abiola, the winner of the 1993 presidential election.
In compliance with the presidential directive, this year’s celebration will make the fourth time the Day will be marked on June 12.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
