The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olisa Agbakoba has stated that Nigeria is still struggling to practice true democracy after 28 years of 1993, June 12 election. The unofficial result of the election though not declared by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) indicated a victory for the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
He stated this on Friday, June 11, during an interview session on Arise TV.
Recall that Presidential elections were held in Nigeria on 12 June 1993, the first since the 1983 military coup ended the country’s Second Republic. The elections were the outcome of a transitional process to civilian rule spearheaded by the military ruler, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).
According to him looking at the recent happenings in different parts of the country ranging from insecurity, poverty and joblessness shows that Nigeria as a Nation has a long way to go in order to practice true democracy.
When asked if the president pronouncement of June 12 as a commemoration day for democracy was a good move.
He then noted that it was a good move and also described the late M.K Abiola a symbol of democracy who he said paid an ultimate sacrifice for the Nation.
Also while interacting with some residents of Keffi Local Government of Nasarawa State about their opinion on democracy in Nigeria, one Adamu Mohammed told Dynamic News Hub that Nigeria is not practising true democracy.
“Nigeria is not practising democracy, if we are practising democracy we will not be where we are today because democracy is a government that is practised by the people and for the people”
“From the look of things our politicians are not practising democracy because after voting for them, they will forget about the people who gave them the mandate”
When asked what the government can do to ensure true democracy, he said the government should start by providing free good and quality education for the people.
He, however, urged Nigerians to support the current administration by praying for them to take a new route in order to achieve true democracy.
Another Victor Ozachi while responding to our question said Nigeria was practising democracy before and not in the present day.
While Halima Innocent said people have lost the sense of democracy in Nigeria.
“Partially I will say Nigeria is practising democracy because a lot of things have gone wrong, the things we know about democracy which include fairness and freedom of speech have really been denied and people have lost the sense of freedom”
“We have lost freedom of right and speech and people are now leaving in fear because you don’t know what to say and not be in trouble”, she said.
