Saraki, Dogara urge sustenance of democracy
Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara have called for sustenance of democracy in the country.
Saraki in a statement to mark this year’s Democracy Day, by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu said the real challenge to the sustenance democracy was the need for a solid economy that will ensure citizens enjoy high standard of living and there was even development across the country.
He said if the people could rally behind government policies to develop the economy and create a vibrant private sector by eschewing all activities, which threaten the stability of the country, then “many of the problems which bedevil the nation’s politics will be eliminated and our democracy will grow from strength to strength”.
Saraki also canvassed that Nigerians should consciously nurture the various institutions, which make the country a democracy worth the name, saying it is by building the institutions and respecting the values they represent that the nation could guarantee stability, development and consistency.
He commended the policies and programmes of the present administration aimed at repositioning the country and called for more support for President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve his lofty economic plan.
Saraki said: “All Nigerians deserve commendation. We have done well so far. We must strive more to make democracy a way of life. The successes recorded so far, demonstrate the unwavering commitment of Nigerians to sustain and grow our democracy.”
Dogara on his part scored the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of President Muhammadu Buhari high as it marks second year in office.
The Speaker also congratulated President Buhari, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, state governors and the entire leadership and all Nigerians for the 18 years of democracy in the country.
He said in a statement by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, that the APC led government was committed to bringing succour to the common man, and saluted all Nigerians for their resilience in the face of challenges they encounter daily and adding that there was no alternative to democracy.
Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has stressed the need to uphold constitutionalism and the rule of law to speed up growth of the nation’s democracy.
Ekweremadu stated this in his Democracy Day message to Nigerians on yesterday.
He maintained that the real blessing and difference between democracy and undemocratic forms of government was the guarantee of human rights and rule of law.