Bayelsa government tasks citizens on sustaining ideal

Bayelsa State government has stressed the need to sustain the country’s democracy.It described 19 years of uninterrupted democracy as one of the best things that has happened to Nigeria since it attained independence in 1960.

State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, made the disclosure in a statement marking Democracy Day in the capital, Yenagoa.He noted that Nigeria cannot afford another military rule, because previous interventions were not only brutish, but also set the country backwards due to the suspension of key democratic elements, including freedom of speech.

The return to democracy in 1999 opened the country to more development and gave it the global recognition it deserves as the most populous black nation in the world, he said, urging political leaders to be mindful of their actions and avoid unguarded statements that could promote disunity and heat up the polity.He stressed that the 2019 general election will be a litmus test for the country’s future and the survival of its democracy.

While congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari and all Nigerians on the occasion, ‎Iworiso-Markson said democracy is working in Bayelsa due to the leadership style of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.The commissioner said in the last six years, the Dickson administration has provided stable leadership that has tried to accommodate all forms of criticism ‎in the state.

According to him, the governor has allowed dissenting voices to be heard and has also given opposition political parties access to government facilities to hold ‎events.  Dickson is as a true democrat, who is always willing to sacrifice anything for democracy to‎ thrive, said Iworiso-Markson, urging Bayelsa people to keep supporting the government.

He said: “Since 2012, we have promoted the ideals of democracy. This is because of the nature of the governor who is a true democrat. The governor believes that democracy remains the best form of government.“We have given room to people to air their opinions on government policies, because that is the way to go. We believe in participatory style of governance, and we remain committed to that.”