Peter Obi, the Labour Party leader, emphasised the significance of June 12 Democracy Day as a symbol of Nigeria’s journey towards becoming a truly democratic nation. In his Democracy Day message to Nigerians, he expressed that this historic day deserves celebration.
Obi highlighted the importance of June 12, 1993, when the Nigerian people demonstrated their unwavering commitment to true democracy. Despite being under military rule, Nigerians freely exercised their right to vote through a transparent voting process. Their votes represented the collective choice of the people, transcending ethnic, religious, and regional divisions. These qualities, he added, made the date exceptional in the pursuit of genuine democracy.
The selection of Chief M.K.O Abiola as a deserving leader for the nation was widely acknowledged by Nigerians and recognized by governments and people worldwide. Obi emphasized the need to establish a more credible electoral system that engenders trust, confidence, and belief among all Nigerians, similar to the trust placed on June 12.
Furthermore, Obi emphasized that the government must respect and safeguard the institutions of the democratic state by fulfilling the social contract with the people. This includes meeting their needs, honoring their desires, and fulfilling the responsibilities of responsible governance as outlined in the Constitution. A crucial aspect of responsible governance is upholding the rule of law.
Obi called on Nigerians to use the commemoration of June 12 as an opportunity to uphold the virtues of a truly democratic nation. He reminded that on June 12, 1993, Nigeria achieved a remarkable milestone. In the spirit of June 12, it is essential to establish an electoral system that garners the people’s trust. This aligns with the principles and core values of democracy, which rest on respecting the people’s wishes as expressed through their votes.
He encouraged Nigerians not to lose faith in the inherent ability of the country’s democratic system to self-correct.