Atiku
warns military, civilian authorities as Nigeria marks 15 years of
democracy - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/05/atiku-warns-military-civilian-authorities-nigeria-marks-15-years-democracy/#sthash.6uBiPRSP.dpuf
Nigeria’s is marking 15 years of uninterrupted democracy today, the longest stretch of civilian rule since independence 53 years ago.
The celebration is, however, being marked on a sombre note across the country today on account of the spate of the insurgency waged by the Boko Haram Islamic sect which has killed more than 12,000 persons since 2009.
More than 200 school girls kidnapped from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State are still under the custody of their abductors in a case that has showcased Nigeria
However, despite the gloom, the political class was bouncy on Democracy Day eve with exhortations to Nigerians to hold on and hope for better days.
Among them were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.
While Atiku in a statement urged the political and military authorities to go the extra length to protect the country’s democracy, Anenih on his part affirmed that the country’s democracy would survive the current spate of insurgency.
Anenih equally said the ruling PDP was also looking beyond a second term for President Goodluck Jonathan ending in 2019.
Atiku in a statement issued by his media office encouraged Nigerians to emulate the examples of statesmen and women like late MKO Abiola, Bola Ige, Kudirat Abiola and Gani Fawehinmi, whose lives were fully committed to democracy in Nigeria. All four persons died in the struggle for democracy.
“The responsibility for our country’s democracy lies with each and everyone of us,” Atiku said.
“We must participate actively in the process of governance, and ensure that the constitution and the rule of law are upheld at all times,” the former Vice-President said.
He described as pitiful, a situation where the government and the armed forces debate critical issues bordering on national security in public.
“Relations between civil-military authorities should be managed with care and maturity to safeguard our democracy.
“Some of the issues being discussed in public are not matters for the market square,” Atiku emphasised.
Anenih on his part said that in the nation’s political history, President Jonathan’s turned out to be one leader with the most visible opposition.
Anenih, in the statement entitled, ‘Nigeria is stronger than it has even been,” issued in Abuja said: “May 29, 2014 marks 15 years since Nigeria returned to democracy. I congratulate all Nigerians on this important occasion, especially since our nation is now well into her longest running democratic dispensation since independence in 1960.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
MKO Abiola, Bola Ige, Kudirat Abiola and Gani Fawehinmi,. But all four died and were of one ethnic tribe. No one to emulate from your tribe?
ReplyDeleteShame to you Atiku, The stone that you thrown into the market has hit your mother inthe market.....all of u will surely regret ur action..
ReplyDeleteThey destroy the country to this stage.....he want to pose like a good person now. God georgement await all of you. Except if you truely repent. Bible has said it all, no sinner will go unpurnished.
ReplyDelete