Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the February 25 general election, has argued that the “nation’s democracy is deeply troubled, while its destiny remains uncertain and precarious.”
Obi expressed sorrow that the country is presently in a moment where fundamental pillars of democracy are being destroyed by widespread impunity, violence, and bloodletting.
In a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Sunday, Obi lamented that “the country lacks selfless leaders committed to national interest, sustainable development and innovative thinking that offers every Nigerian freedom of choice of abode, protection of lives and property and ordered liberties.”
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His statement follows the marking of “June 12 Democracy Day” in Nigeria.
Obi stated that the communal selection of late Chief M. K.O Abiola as a worthy leader for the nation was lauded by Nigerians, governments, and peoples all over the world, and that June 12 represents Nigerians’ long collective path to nationhood as a true democracy.
Even under military control, Nigerians demonstrated an unqualified preference for true democracy and voluntarily chose a transparent voting procedure, according to the former Anambra State governor.
He did, however, express concern that the trust gap between leaders and Nigerians has grown.
Part of his statement read, “Our collective choice of late Chief M. K.O AbIola as a worthy leader for the nation was saluted by Nigerians and governments and peoples across the world. Therefore, June 12 underpins our long collective journey to nationhood as a true democracy.
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“However, the current state of our politics tells a different story . Our democracy is deeply troubled while our nation’s destiny remains uncertain and precarious. We remain a nation in search of solutions to too many basic problems.
“Above all, the 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 the government in this regard is respect for the rule of law.
“Regrettably, we are now in an era where these foundational pillars of democracy are undermined by prevalent impunity and pervasive violence and bloodletting. The trust deficit between the leaders and Nigerians continues to expand.
“The deficits of trust and efficiency in our last elections demonstrate this malady quite boldly. The challenge of June 12 and a dedicated Democracy Day is to inspire us to correct the errors of our recent elections.
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“This is the surest way to restore the confidence of our people in the future of our nation and the promise of true democracy. I however urge us all not to lose faith in the inbuilt design of our democratic system to self-correct.
“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 of lives, property and ordered liberties.
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“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.”
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