Democracy Day Here At Last, What Will Mr President Say?

By PHC Telegraph

 

Today is Democracy Day. Across the country people are most likely to stay back at home to reflect on the journey so far.

Until the Buhari administration announced June 12 as Democracy Day and publicly admitted that Chief MKO of the Social Democratic Party won the 1992 election, the rebirth of democracy was celebrated on May 29

In parts of the country, activities to mark this year’s Democracy Day have been outlined by governments and other pro-democracy groups.

At the Federal level, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces will be expected to address ordinary Nigerians via a nationwide broadcast. He will also address a joint session of the National Assembly.

A public lecture is expected to replace the traditional march past that has been a unique feature of Democracy day celebrations.

In Rivers State where a state of emergency has been in force since March 18, there are growing expectations; expectations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would make pronouncements that are quite far reaching; expectations that democracy will be allowed to flourish in Rivers State; and expectations that Governor Siminalayi Fubara would get the nod to return to Government House.

Going by the itinerary that has been released, the President will be addressing Nigerians on radio and television in few hours from now, precisely 7.00am as Nigeria repositions itself in a bid to evolve as one of the largest democracies in the world.

It will be an opportunity for the President to place the contributions of his administration towards the sustenance of democratic rule on marble.

It has been 32 years since the Nigerian Military annulled the freest and most credible election ever to be held in this country.

That election which remains the most transparent was conducted under the able hand of Professor Humphrey Nwosu who ran the electoral commission.

Similarly, it has been 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule that has defined the people’s preference for a system of government which does not encourage the military to stay at the helm of affairs.

The Tinubu administration which is grappling with developmental challenges facing the nation is two years old. It has inherited the task of taking Nigeria’s democratic experiment to the next level amidst growing fears of the introduction of a one-party state.

No matter how imperfect Nigeria’s match to democracy has been, the fact that it has encouraged mass participation, guaranteed free expression, the right to choose and the freedom to associate have remained major take aways.

In all, the journey has not been easy. It has been rough and bumpy, especially against the backdrop of chaotic and some times very embarrassing situations that have been created by the political class.

While the country marks its Democracy Day in the midst of teething political, social as well as economic problems, there may still be a strong reason to heave sighs or relief.

As a nation, mistakes have been made. Great political battles have been fought. And there are also indications that lessons are being learnt by all who want democracy to strive.

Yet, the country will never forget the contributions of men of good conscience, some of who paid the ultimate price so Nigerians can operate a democratic state.

They include men Like Chief MKO Abiola, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief OB Lulu Briggs, Chief Tony Anenih, Mrs Kudirat Abiola and a host others too numerous to mention.

In Rivers State where expectations have reached feverish levels, Rivers people would no doubt glue themselves to their TV and radio sets and hope that they would get the answer that they seek.

Will the President look favourably at the demand by Rivers people for the restoration of their democratic institutions?

Will their yearning for the return of self rule and an end to the current state of emergency materialize?

The answer to these questions which are uppermost on the minds of most Nigerians will be in the open when the President speaks.