Democracy Day: Be An Advocate Of Change; Amb. Oyibode Charges Nigerians

As Nigerians celebrate this year democracy day;  the public holiday that commemorates the restoration of democracy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when Olusegun Obasanjo took office as the President of Nigeria in May 1999 ending multiple decades of military rule that began in 1966 and had been interrupted only by a brief period of democracy from 1979 to 1983, the 2014 Governorship aspirant of the people’s democratic party ( PDP ), Chief Dr Amb. Gabriel Chukwuma Etaoghenevwegba Oyibode has charged Nigerians to be architects of the dreamed Nigeria.

Amb. Oyibode stressed that after gaining independence in 1960 from Great Britain, Nigeria fell prey to civil war and the first of many military coups in 1966. Democracy was briefly restored from 1979 to 1983, but for most of its independent history, Nigeria was ruled by a series of military juntas. The last major military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, died suddenly in 1998. His successor, Gen.

Abdulsalami Abubakar promised a transition to democracy, and accordingly a new constitution was adopted on May 5th, 1999. Elections were held and retired Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, who had previously governed Nigeria as a military ruler, was elected the new president.

The end of military rule brought about a new era of regular elections as well as the return of civil liberties, free press and an end to arbitrary arrests and torture, although human rights violations still occur regularly. Nigeria also began a long campaign against the bureaucratic and military corruption that had paralyzed its economy and severely tarnished its international reputation.

However, for the Nigeria of our dreams to come to reality, everybody’s hands must be on deck. “You must play your role as citizens of this country, not acting as antagonists to elected officers but rather creating enabling environment for government policies to strive”. 

“As for the government, they need to keep their political promises. In ability of government to keep their political promises especially during political campaigns and rallies, make Nigeria not to trust the government” Amb. Oyibode stated. 

He called on the arms of government to play their constitutional rules without prejudice and at the same time advocated for the autonomous of the local government. This is one thing that give every good citizen of this country a great concern, because without the autonomous of the local government as the third level of a democratical government, the elected chairmen and councillors  have been made incapacitated and irrelevant in such a political dungeon, called local government council. 

He urged civil society and pressure groups to play their role in order to curb violation of human rights. 

For Nigeria to grow, it is the responsibility of both the elected and appointed officers and the electorates. Let come together in irrespective of political party, religion, ethic divide or tribe and build Nigeria better than how we meant it because we have account to give to the younger generations and generations still unborn, Amb. Oyibode said. 

Democracy Day: Be An Advocate Of Change; Amb. Oyibode Charges Nigerians 

As Nigerians celebrate this year democracy day;  the public holiday that commemorates the restoration of democracy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when Olusegun Obasanjo took office as the President of Nigeria in May 1999 ending multiple decades of military rule that began in 1966 and had been interrupted only by a brief period of democracy from 1979 to 1983, the 2014 Governorship aspirant of the people’s democratic party ( PDP ), Chief Dr Amb. Gabriel Chukwuma Etaoghenevwegba Oyibode has charged Nigerians to be architects of the dreamed Nigeria.

Amb. Oyibode stressed that after gaining independence in 1960 from Great Britain, Nigeria fell prey to civil war and the first of many military coups in 1966. Democracy was briefly restored from 1979 to 1983, but for most of its independent history, Nigeria was ruled by a series of military juntas. The last major military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, died suddenly in 1998. His successor, Gen.

Abdulsalami Abubakar promised a transition to democracy, and accordingly a new constitution was adopted on May 5th, 1999. Elections were held and retired Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, who had previously governed Nigeria as a military ruler, was elected the new president.

The end of military rule brought about a new era of regular elections as well as the return of civil liberties, free press and an end to arbitrary arrests and torture, although human rights violations still occur regularly. Nigeria also began a long campaign against the bureaucratic and military corruption that had paralyzed its economy and severely tarnished its international reputation.

However, for the Nigeria of our dreams to come to reality, everybody’s hands must be on deck. “You must play your role as citizens of this country, not acting as antagonists to elected officers but rather creating enabling environment for government policies to strive”. 

“As for the government, they need to keep their political promises. In ability of government to keep their political promises especially during political campaigns and rallies, make Nigeria not to trust the government” Amb. Oyibode stated. 

He called on the arms of government to play their constitutional rules without prejudice and at the same time advocated for the autonomous of the local government. This is one thing that give every good citizen of this country a great concern, because without the autonomous of the local government as the third level of a democratical government, the elected chairmen and councillors  have been made incapacitated and irrelevant in such a political dungeon, called local government council. 

He urged civil society and pressure groups to play their role in order to curb violation of human rights. 

For Nigeria to grow, it is the responsibility of both the elected and appointed officers and the electorates. Let come together in irrespective of political party, religion, ethic divide or tribe and build Nigeria better than how we meant it because we have account to give to the younger generations and generations still unborn, Amb. Oyibode said.