Hardship eroding Nigeria’s democracy, says Adeleke

• Akeredolu seeks national unity, restructuring
• Odebowale urges restructuring of Nigeria’s polity to reflect diversity

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, urged government at all levels to tackle economic hardship for the nation’s democracy to grow.

Adeleke, who spoke during the 2023 Democracy Day lecture organised by a coalition of civil society groups in the state, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, said that an economically satisfied citizenry is a strong insurance for thriving democracy and good governance.

He said Nigeria must uphold certain basic democratic norms for citizens’ participation to yield needed results, adding that “the democratic culture grows and flourishes when all the electoral and governance sub-sectors play their roles within the context of due process and rule of law.”

The governor, however, cautioned Nigerians on any expectation of perfection in democratic practice.

Similarly, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, called for a thorough review of the current socio-political arrangement in Nigeria to facilitate progress and development.
Akeredolu stressed that a comprehensive restructuring of the country is essential for consolidating democratic achievements.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said that Democracy Day is a reminder of the significance of upholding the principles of equity and fairness.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to ponder the importance of June 12 and pay tribute to the heroes of democracy who made sacrifices for the country.

Akeredolu described June 12 as a commemoration of sacrifices, patriotism, peaceful struggle and a momentous occasion in the democratic history of Nigeria.

On his part, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Ade Adetimehin, said Nigerians would soon begin to reap gains of the “Renewed Hope”, which they voted for earlier in the year.

Also, the Speaker of the state Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, expressed hope for a greater and better Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, yesterday, said that the disconnect between the people and their political representatives has been widened by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Odebowale, who was the guest lecturer at a public lecture organised by Ondo State Government in commemoration of this year’s June 12 Democracy Day celebration, noted that deepening the inclusion of the people in the socio-economic activities of their respective areas will lead to stability in all spheres.

In his lecture, titled “Democracy, Development and Political Stability in Nigeria”, he asserted that it would be difficult for a country to achieve progress with a unitary system of government in a democracy.