Seven members of the House of Representatives have expressed mixed feelings on the 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in the country.
The lawmakers highlighted both the strides made and the challenges confronting the nation’s democratic journey.
According to Rep. Julius Ihonbvere, the Leader of the House, there is a lot to say about Nigeria’s democracy.
“We need to make our institutions strong. We need to entrench a culture of constitutionalism.
“We need to do things better for the benefit of the country.’’
Similarly, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House, said it was a thing of pride that Nigeria has witnessed democracy for 25 years uninterrupted
“Several people thought that the country will not survive its crises over the years, but here we are in the temple of our democracy, working hard and getting answers to our prayers.
He, however, expressed reservations on how the nation had fared in press freedom, workers’ freedom, and obedience to the tenets of democracy.
“Clearly, there are several things the leaders have left unfulfilled. Many hopes have been dashed
“People should be able to trust the government to perform its basic role of protecting life and property. That is the first role of the Social Contract. Any government that cannot do that, has failed the people.
“We have many things that should have been done to curtail the current security challenges which have been left undone,” he lamented.
In the same vein, Rep. Sada Soli (Katsina APC), said the country’s democracy had provided citizens with the needed space to participate in the leadership recuitment process.
He said it had equally guaranteed civil liberty which was not there during the military era, adding that the journey had provided accountability where people held leaders accountable, adding that it had equally created economic opportunities through liberalisation.
Rep. Idris Wase (Plateau, APC), said he was a beneficiary of democracy in the country.
“While congratulating Nigerians for 25 years of unbroken democracy, I dare say that we all have benefited and are still benefiting from it.
“This is contrary to the past, when some people will sit in a small room and call themselves the supreme military council. I believe the door to prosperity is here,” Wase said.
Rep. Alhasan Ado-Doguwa (Kano, APC), said “We have done quite well in the delivery of democratic dividends and meeting the expectations of the people.
“The military ran the country without the institution of parliament, and the fact that we now have this institution back, calls for celebration.
“This institution has helped our democracy and put the nation in the right corner,” he said.
He, however, called on the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that the issue of local government autonomy in the country was not negotiable.
“We are still facing security challenges in the country; the government should be proactive so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.”
Rep. Zainab Gimba (Borno, APC), congratulated Nigerians for the uninterrupted 25-year democracy, adding that there were democracies where the three arms of government and the freedom of the press had been compromised.
“We should be proud in Nigeria because this has not been our lot. The press is free. The people are free. There has never been a scenario where women have been disenfranchised from voting and being voted for.”
Rep. Obiageli Orogbu (Anambra, LP), however, said there was nothing to celebrate.
Hear her: “We should be celebrating access to education and security. We need to move a step further. Democracy should give the downtrodden a better life. Unless the poor are happy, we cannot boast of democracy,” she said.
Umoru Faruk Salifu
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umorufaruks007@gmail.com,
umoru@21stcenturychronicle.com
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