The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos West), has urged all Nigerians to rise up in defense of democracy and protect its values jealously.
Adeola, in a Democracy Day message on Saturday in Lagos, said democracy remains the best system of government to address societal needs in spite of its imperfections.
The senator noted that the country’s nascent democracy has endured and survived a lot of challenges since 1999.
According to the lawmaker, all democrats should draw lessons from the country’s democratic experience to support the continuation of the system based on the rule of law and due process.
“As a democratic nation, we are faced with challenges that are not different from those faced by other nations, including the United States as reflected in its last presidential election.
“The good thing is to allow the rule of law and due process to guide our practice with our peculiarities while strengthening all our democratic institutions,” he said.
He maintained that it was only in a democracy that the citizens could choose the leaders they want and implored Nigerians not to take the democracy they are enjoying for granted.
NAHCON confirms cancellation of pilgrimage for international pilgrims, 2021 Hajj
“The democracy we are celebrating today came at a huge cost. My brother was gunned down in the agitation for the validation of June 12 and an end to military dictatorship in Lagos.
“The symbol of June 12, Chief MKO Abiola, and his wife, Kudirat, paid the supreme price in the struggle for the enthronement of democracy.
“Many went on exile but we are happy that the sacrifices are not in vain as we celebrate yet another Democracy Day in Nigeria” he added.
