Nigerians Mark Democracy Day Amid Calls for Electoral Reforms

Strategic Insights -

As Nigerians celebrate Democracy Day on June 12, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate commitment to reforming the electoral system. The party's spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, accused the President of aborting the amendment of the electoral act in the eighth Assembly, citing the Kogi governorship election as an example of the need for electoral reforms.

In his statement, Ologbondiyan demanded that President Buhari address issues related to the amendment of the electoral act in his June 12 broadcast and initiate the process of sending an electoral act amendment bill to the National Assembly within 14 days, with a commitment to sign the amendment when it is passed by the legislature.

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, urged Nigerians to commemorate Democracy Day as a reminder of the country's democratic journey, honoring the sacrifices of patriots who fought for democracy. Tinubu described the late Abiola as the true hero of democracy, stating that the events of June 12, 1993, changed Nigeria profoundly.

Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter Obi, called for sobriety and reflection on the country's democratic journey, urging Nigerians to strive for better democratic ideals to reap greater dividends of democracy. Obi lamented the accumulated years of leadership failure and highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity for Nigeria to look inwards.

Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, described the June 12, 1993, annulled election as the most defining moment in Nigeria's history, saying the struggle to free Nigerians from bondage continues until the country is restructured into federating units. He expressed regret that democracy is yet to take root due to leadership failures and proposed true federalism as a solution.

Political activist, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, accused political leaders and players of betraying the message and sacrifice of June 12, which Abiola struggled and died for, stating that there was no democratic government in Nigeria. He lamented the country's lack of good governance, infrastructure, and the inability of Nigerians to breathe under oppressive rule.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Buhari to demonstrate commitment to reforming the electoral system, citing the need for the amendment of the electoral act.
  • National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has honored the sacrifices of patriots who fought for democracy on June 12, 1993, which changed Nigeria profoundly.
  • Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for sobriety and reflection on the country's democratic journey, urging Nigerians to strive for better democratic ideals.
  • Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has proposed true federalism as a solution to the country's democratic challenges.
  • Political activist, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, has accused political leaders and players of betraying the message and sacrifice of June 12.

Statistics:

  • Since the inauguration of the Fourth Republic in 2000, Nigeria has marked May 29 as Democracy Day, until President Buhari declared June 12 as the country's Democracy Day in 2018.
  • The June 12, 1993, election was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida-led military regime, leading to widespread protests and democracy activism.
  • Since 1993, Nigeria has not seen significant electoral reforms to enhance the country's democratic process.
  • Despite the sacrifices of patriots like Abiola, democracy has yet to take root in Nigeria due to leadership failures and electoral injustices.

Sources:

  • "Nigerians Mark Democracy Day Amid Calls for Electoral Reforms" - The Guardian
  • "Buhari to address nation on June 12" - The Vanguard
  • "Nigeria: We Are Not Yet a Democracy" - The Bounce News
  • "Buhari declares June 12 Democracy Day" - The Nation
  • "June 12: Nigeria’s Democracy Day" - The Punch