Nigeria’s former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has asserted that democracy is continuously being undermined and endangered in Nigeria.
He said the insecurity, poverty, and other socio-economic challenges facing the country have continued ‘to make what should be a representative government look strange to the people.’
According to him, 22 years after the country embraced democratic governance, the system has not given birth to good governance.
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In his message to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Saraki, called for truce and appealed to Nigerians to give peace a chance and work for the unity of the country.
His words; ‘Today, our country faces security challenges and the government is not able to adequately protect the citizenry.
“There is massive unemployment which has impoverished a high percentage of the population and many citizens are questioning the basis for the unity of the country.
‘These are pointers to the question of whether democracy is actually working in our clime.
‘However, since we have accepted that the best form of government is democracy, we have no option than to make the system work for our country and her people.
‘Thus, I appeal to all stakeholders to give peace a chance. This is because nothing can be achieved in the absence of peace.
‘The quest for peace places a burden on all of us who are leaders, both those in and out of government, to effectively shoulder our responsibilities to our country.’
The former Kwara State Governor also decried the electoral process and the attitude of politicians which he noted ‘do not support the claim that we operate a democracy.’
Still talking elections, he said; ‘Also, our elections still lack appropriate legislations and conventions that are aimed at entrenching free, fair, peaceful and credible elections.
‘That is why today, the courts, more than the votes cast by the electorate, determine who occupies top political posts,’ he added.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
