May 30, 2012 – Some lawyers on Tuesday in Lagos urged the Federal Government to continue to ensure that the dividends of democracy were delivered to the people in spite of the challenges.
The lawyers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the challenges facing the country should be addressed for Nigerians to enjoy democracy.
Mr. Adebamigbe Omole, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, said celebrating Democracy Day should be matched against corresponding improvements in the lives of the people.
“President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration should continue to do its best to address the challenges facing the country.
“The purpose of democratic governance is that people surrender their rights to some persons to lead them by way of periodic voting exercises.
“These people are, therefore, saddled with the responsibility of guaranteeing their security, freedom, employment and other duties of a government,” he said.
A public affairs analyst, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, said Nigerians deserve to enjoy the fruits of democracy they had struggled for.
“Many Nigerians are still unemployed and living in abject poverty.
“Many do not have access to education, quality healthcare and other basic infrastructure. Something must be done by government at all levels to improve their lives,” he told NAN.
Ubani urged Jonathan not to allow anything to distract his government in its bid to transform the country.
Mr. Wahab Shittu, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, said Nigerians had every reason to celebrate Democracy Day in spite of the present situation in the country.
Shittu said: “If we take the view that democracy is a journey and not a destination, we should constantly remind ourselves of the significance of the day.
“Those who said we should not celebrate think that there are no indices on ground to warrant a celebration, but I do not subscribe to this view.
“I believe that if not for any other reason, we should celebrate that we are on a democratic journey with a hope of a better destination for our country.
