By Francis Adewumi
As Nigeria celebrates 25 years of democracy, the founder of Opeyemi David Falegan Foundation, Hon Opeyemi David Falegan has lamented the parlous state of the country’s democracy and governing system.
He also rekindled in future urging Nigerians to remain steadfast and committed.
Falegan stated expressed his despair in his statements to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, which is usually celebrated on June 12th every year in remembrance of the June 12, 1993, general election, proclaimed as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria, and won by Chief MKO Abiola but was later annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babaginda.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Comrade Adewumi Francis, he noted that the state of Nigeria’s political practices and governance has placed the country on a precarious edge, making the country to be in many lingering challenges
According to Falegan, the country’s electoral system has reduced the citizens’ trust and confidence in the government as opposed to the historic June 12, 1993, elections, which have been generally tagged as the freest and fairest elections in Nigeria’s history.
ODF decrying the country’s leadership structure,he further stated that, Nigeria lacks selfless leaders who are committed to the national interest to develop the country regardless of the ethnic and religious affinity:
“Our collective choice of the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola as a worthy leader for the nation was saluted by Nigerians, governments, and peoples across the world. Therefore, June 12 underpins our long collective journey to nationhood as a true democracy. However, the current state of our politics tells a different story. Our democracy is deeply troubled, while our nation’s destiny remains uncertain and precarious. We remain a nation in search of solutions to too many basic problems.
“One of these is the search for a credible electoral system that would command the trust, confidence, and belief of all Nigerians, just like June 12 did. We should, therefore, use the commemoration of June 12 as an occasion to return to the true virtues of a truly democratic nation. We achieved that feat on June 12, 1993. In the spirit of June 12, therefore, we need to establish an electoral system that commands the trust of the people”he echoed.
Earlier Falegan said, what Nigerians lack are selfless leaders who are committed to national interest, sustainable development, and innovative thinking that offers every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or social strata, the freedom of choice of abode and protection of lives, property, and ordered liberties.
The Founder of ODF Foundation however, called for respect for the rule of law by obeying the wishes of the members of the public and fulfilling the constitutional demand of responsible governance that will strengthen the missing trust between the government and the people.
He also prayed for Nigerians to overcome this economy tough time.