A civil society organization, African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development (AIFES), has said the decision of the immediate-past administration to recognise June 12 as Democracy Day, signalled the process of national healing and reconciliation.
It therefore called on the new administration to consummate the healing process by embarking on a full scale outreach programme to all groups crying for justice in Nigeria such as the Ogoni people and other agitation groups.
AIFES, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by its executive director, Legborsi Saro-Pyagbara, said the programme if implemented will sustain the country’s democracy on a solid structure of justice, national healing and reconciliation.
Pyagbara said: “The recognition of June 12 by the immediate past administration as democracy day five years ago signalled a process of national healing and reconciliation.
“We therefore call on this new administration to consummate this healing process by embarking on a full scale outreach program to all groups crying for justice in Nigeria such as the Ogoni people and other agitation groups to sustain our democracy on a solid structure of justice, national healing and reconciliation. We must reconcile everyone to the Nigeria project.
“Additionally, democracy becomes meaningless when it’s electoral process is faulty. In order to save democracy, people’s votes must count. It is on this note that we urge the present government to enthrone a genuine electoral order that emplaces a clear and transparent electoral process. which ensures that people’s votes count.
It is only then that celebrating this day makes enormous meaning.
“As we celebrate this great feat, it is imperative that we call on Nigerian people to continue to allow the democratic governance thrive by conducting themselves according to the tenet of policies and laws that strengthen and support an enduring democratic leadership not tyranny.
“It is also evident that the absence of military rule in Nigeria does not negate the fact that there have been unabated cases of injustice, political intolerance, fraudulent practices and corruption in the civil and political spaces in the country over the years.
“In fact, much of these economic and financial crimes and political recklessness by the privileged few in authority have been carried out with impunity and without application of the law on perpetrators.
“Corruption, injustice and disrespect to the rule of law are indicators of an insensitive, despotic and failed government; the reasons for revolution, and for which governments are toppled. Today, Nigeria still finds herself under the cloak of this economic and political misfortune, thereby taking the risk of possible political instability.
“In the face of this obvious situation and its accompanying pains, it is evident that Nigerians have demonstrated commendable disposition of tolerance and acceptability of democratic rule to military regime, which does not hide its use of force and dictatorial actions. But this disposition should not be taken for granted by the political leaders,” he said.
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