The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated all Nigerians on the momentous occasion of the 2018 Democracy Day Celebrations.
The ruling party did in a statement on Monday signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
Abdullahi said: “Indeed, our journey as a nation since 1999 when we returned to democratic rule has not been an easy one but our country has soldiered on. We have built on the gains of those early years fractured by military incursion and now 19 years after, our democracy and polity are stronger. We have conducted successive elections and have continually improved on the transparency and credibility of our electoral systems.
“Remarkably, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has continued in the country’s proud tradition of being a bastion of democracy in the sub-region and across the world, as seen in the current administration’s lead intervention in ensuring representative governance and peaceful transition of power in the Gambia.
“On this momentous occasion, we should congratulate ourselves on the strides we have made in our political journey as a country since independence. For one, military rule is now distant memory in Nigeria. We must now work collectively to improve our democracy because regardless of its imperfections, democracy remains the best form of government that can best serve the interest of our people.
“As a Party in government, our commitment to address our current challenges, which find expression in the economy and security, remain unshaken. We urge all Nigerians to continue to pray and support the current administration’s effort to build a peaceful and greater nation.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has harped on the need to preserve the fundamental ingredients of the nation’s democracy.
He made the call in a goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2018 Democracy Day.
Citing several countries, which built world-class infrastructure, prosperous economy, and maintained high Human Development Index under autocratic regimes, Ekweremadu said the real blessings of democracy were the intangibles such as rule of law, fundamental human rights, liberties, checks and balances, justice, and unity, among others.
He said: “The core blessings of democracy are liberties, human rights, rule of law, separation of powers, checks and balances, independent electoral umpire, independent judiciary, independent legislature, which all combine to deliver good governance.
“Democracy does not envisage a situation where any arm of government, no matter how well intended, expropriates or discountenances the constitutional roles of other arms. Willful disregard for these basic elements and flagrant abuse of critical institutions of democracy portend grave danger for democracy. It is recipe for anarchy and slow poison to democracy.
“On the occasion of the nation’s 19th Democracy Day, therefore, leaders and citizens alike must recommit to unity and justice, directing our energies to safeguarding the nation’s democracy from all forms of excesses that diminish it and compromise development”.