Safeguard Democracy, Pray For Peaceful Elections–Aremu

Director general of Michael Imoudu Institute For Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Comrade Issa Aremu,  has urged Nigerians to safeguard the nation’s democracy and pray for peaceful 2023 general elections.

Aremu who said 2023 is an important year for Nigeria as the nation would mark  24 years of uninterrupted democracy, urged Nigerians to shun any tendency that could bring back military rule.

He said it was the military that destroyed the country because of its long rule of the country which he described as an aberration.

Admitting that life is tough in Nigeria, Aremu said democracy had brought stability and development to the country in the past 24 years.

He spoke yesterday during the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Mohammed by the institute’s Muslim community.

Flanked by the national deputy president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alh Najimu Yasin, Aremu said: “2023 is an important year for Nigeria because we will mark 24 years of uninterrupted democracy.

“Though, life is tough in Nigeria like in Ghana, South Africa, etc, Nigerians should still give thanks to God for keeping the nation as one indivisible entity. Some of its peers have disintegrated. God really bless Nigeria- good weather, etc.

“This is the 6th general elections that Nigeria will be conducting since 1999. It was the military that destroyed Nigeria. Democracy has its follies but it’s far better than military rule. Never should anyone rule us again except through the ballot papers.

“Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa. We should pray for a peaceful 2023 general elections. We should do quality control of electioneering campaigns. We should not abuse one and another but we should make our campaign issues – based.  Anybody that wins must carry everyone along. We must adopt bi- partisanship  approach to development. No single person can solve Nigeria’s problems.”

Aremu expressed delight with the modest achievements of the MINILS under his watch, saying the institute would be  40 years old this year.

He described the setting up of a committee by the federal government to review workers salaries as highly commendable.

Aremu  thanked the minister of works and housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola(SAN) for facilitating the construction of the road that leads to the institute.