The Federal Government yesterday looked back at 23 years of democratic rule in the country and passed a verdict: “We are making progress.”
It admitted some limitations in the democratic journey and admonished Nigerians to have faith in the “ promise and possibilities of a better nation.”
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo made the government’s view known at an interdenominational church service marking this year’s Democracy Day at the National Christian Centre, Abuja yesterday.
Osinbajo was represented at the service by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha,
Listing various indices that show that Nigeria has made progress in the past 23 years, he lauded Nigerians for being contributors to “successes and progress.”.
According to him, indicators show that the country has departed from being divisive and uncoordinated to one with a nationalistic orientation.
He cited the change of the date of the Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 by a President(Muhammadu Buhari) from the North, in commemoration of a political icon (Chief MKO Abiola) from the South.
His words: “Nigerians have always risen to the occasion when it mattered most. We rose to the occasion when colonial powers subjugated our people and lorded over our resources.
’We rose to the occasion following the ravages of a civil war to rebuild a united country no matter how imperfect.
Read Also: Full text of President Buhari’s Democracy Day speech
“We rose to the occasion when enduring military dictatorships pushed us to the edge of extinction and negotiated our way into a democracy that provides a platform for us to build a country, we can all be proud of.
“And we have come this far because of all of us, from the North to the South. Our democracy was hard won by Nigerians from the trenches of the six geo-political zones. Our struggle for a better country has always been de-tribalised.
“It is important to note that our commemoration of Democracy Day was recently moved from May 29 to June 12 by a President from the North in honour of a political leader from the South. Democracy works, all the more so in a heterogeneous union like ours, through negotiations and compromises carried out in good faith. And each year brings us closer to a more perfect union, a more mature democracy.
“In 2015, this administration became the first administration in the history of our country to take over governance from a sitting president in a smooth transition.
“In the last couple of weeks, party primaries have been held by political parties big and small and across the country, without violence, rancour or the prevalence of bitter court cases as have characterized the process in times past. We are growing.
“The social contract between the government and the people with the ballot as arbiter is daily being strengthened. The combined effort of government, the people and civil society across the federation are bringing us closer to our highest democratic ideals and aspirations.
“Today, let us rest assured in the promise and possibilities of Nigeria. We have the talent, and the resources to be a beacon of hope and standard bearer for the rest of Africa and the black race.
“We have been progressively proving that we have what it takes to run an open, honest and transparent government that guarantees the rule of law and secures every corner of the nation; that in this decade we can lift 100 million people out of poverty and guarantee equal access to education and opportunities for our women, bringing to fruition the most comprehensive social welfare programme for the poor and vulnerable on this side of the planet.”
2023: CAN calls for equity, justice
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday said that any political party that shows “fairness, equity and justice would receive the support of Nigerians in the coming elections.
It added that any presidential candidate that works with the church stood a good chance of emerging victorious.
President of CAN Samson Ayokunle stated this at the inter-denominational service. He was represented at the event by the Bishop and Founder of the Sword of The Spirit Ministries International, Francis Wale-Oke.
He said: “The candidate who will emerge is the one who works with the Church. If you embrace equity, fairness and justice, the Nigerian electorate will reward you with their votes at the polls and they will give you their support.
“ In your campaigns, make sure you exalt fairness, justice and equity. If there is no righteousness, fairness and equity, we will remain divided.
“There is no fairness if a certain people from a certain ethnic group are reduced to second-class citizens who cannot aspire to the highest office in the land.”