The Speaker of the
House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has felicitated Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day.
In a statement, Mr Gbajabiamila said Nigerians have a lot to celebrate as the country’s democracy has developed in the past twenty-three years.
The Speaker noted that this year’s Democracy Day is historic coming on the eve of the 2023 general elections.
He expressed delight at how the citizens have embraced democratic governance in the past two decades, saying there is a lot to come in the coming years in terms of dividends of democracy.
Gbajabiamila called for the continuous support and cooperation of the citizens for the entrenchment and deepening of democracy in the country.
He used the occasion to call on Nigerian leaders at all levels to intensify efforts at making the country’s democracy work for the people.
Let June 12 Be a Symbol of Unity and Hope – Sanwo-Olu
As the Nation mark this year’s Democracy Day, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu says June 12 must become a symbol of unity, of hope, of aspiration for a better tomorrow, one built upon true democratic ideals and practices.
In a statement he personally signed, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the democracy being enjoy today in Nigeria was built upon the immense sacrifice that June 12 represented and still represents and also a day to remember the June 12, 1993, presidential elections
adjudged to be the freest and fairest ever conducted in the country, but was annulled by the military Government.
Pointing out that it was fitting that this year’s commemoration was coming immediately after the first phase of the 2023 political season as the various political parties in the country had in the last four weeks, held Primaries to select their flag bearers for offices, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to let the occasion be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build the future we want.
“It is perhaps fitting that we are celebrating this year’s Democracy Day in the immediate aftermath of the first phase of the 2023 political season. We have seen our democracy at work. It is not perfect, but no democracy is. There are still gaps to be closed, and processes to be improved upon, but there is no doubt that the journey we started over two decades ago is fully on course and maturing. Let Democracy Day be a reminder of the importance of joining hands to build the future we want. Twenty-nine years ago on this day, Nigerians trooped enthusiastically to the polls, defying stereotypes of ethnicity and religion to prove to ourselves and the world that a new Nigeria is possible. We have since been blessed with a new opportunity to build on the hope and the potential of June 12, 1993. That responsibility is now in our hands, and posterity will not forgive us if we squander it.”
He promised Lagosians that his administration would continue to strive to attain the ultimate goal of a democracy which is to improve the lives of the people even as he starts the final year of his first term in office.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who also assured Lagos residents that his focus is on completing the many laudable programmes and projects that he started, assured them that he would never allow politicking to get in the way of governance.
“As we start the final year of our first term in office, our focus is on completing the many laudable programmes and projects that we have started. Even as this period will overlap with campaign season, you, the good people of Lagos State, can rest assured that we will never allow politicking to get in the way of governance. Our work for a Greater Lagos continues, even as we seek your mandate for a new term in office.”