Democracy Day: Onolememen Says Not Yet Uhuru, Salute Nigerians.

Today marks the day democracy is commemorated in our dear country, I rejoice in joining millions of citizens in this celebration.

When we look back to what Nigeria was before 1999, we must be thankful for the democratic journey so far, away from those eras of military rules and interventions.

Who Is Dr. Michael Oziegbe Onolememen: A Politician, Professional And Scholar

Though it’s not yet Uhuru, the sacrosancti of government by the will of the people cannot be discounted.

I can recall the memorable day on June 12th, 1993 when I filed out with millions of others to cast my vote as a citizen with anticipation of hope away from the military rule, little did I know that very election would be truncated.

Although the ill feelings are there, I am happy we were able to move on to restart another democratic journey from 1999 which has since taken a foothold.

Democracy is not an event, rather a process. The setback of 1993 we experienced was a lesson, a bitter one, but we must move on to capture the beauty of democracy, which is expansive. We must come together today to safeguard this democracy no matter what the challenges are.

It is through unity the strong foundation of democracy is built. So let’s remain focused on the merits of what democracy can afford with one resolve.

As is often said, the worst form of democracy is better than the finest of military rule. In a democracy, your voice is heard, in the military, regime, it is drowned.

We rather are heard when things are wrong than be silent with the pretenses of happiness.

Let’s not deceive ourselves; from 1999, the journey has not been the smooth one we envisaged. However, we have been thrusting through the challenges with the temerity of those who are determined, resolute, purposeful…let’s continue to keep the open flames of democracy alive.

The democratic journey never ends, let’s hope we shall hand over a brighter flame to the next generation who will also pass it on.

Let’s continue to uphold the tenets of democracy, as this day signifies. It’s the only culture that can guarantee us meaningful rights, freedoms of associations, speeches, and liberties.

These are fundamental rights democracy alone can guarantee without being determined by factors such as social status, ethnicity, religious affiliations, or even place of birth.

Our union and pacts should be with lovers of freedom, not those who have every reason to thwart the will of the common people for personal gains. Let’s guard our only hold to human dignity with significant jealousy.

Let’s not buy into the market sales of those who think violence can be used to achieve their ideal sense of freedom.

Rather, let’s be in union with those who negotiate through dialogue their preferences. Wanton wastefulness and destruction are not part of democratic norms and values, but dialogue.

Terrorism in a hundred years can never achieve what talking on negotiating tables will achieve within days. Let’s, therefore, rely on the hope of dialogue and engagements. We must continue to participate in governance and askew violent approach as a means to solving problems.

The totem poles on which our democracy stands were established by sacrifices of lives in the past and are being held today by both your hands and mine. Despite the weight, let’s keep holding on. The end justifies the means.

The challenges should not be enough for us to drop the precious gifts that democracy itself can afford because it is the will of the people, the majority of them, and what we should be haggling for is good governance through democratic means, not alternatives.

We are the solutions to our challenges because the challenges of democracy in Nigeria are human-made.

We know it’s difficult to endure the slow pace of democracy, we must however muster the will because the alternatives to democracy have their consequences which are too gasping to comprehend.

It’s only under a democratic rule we can sit to talk about the direction of governance and challenge to debates those we have submitted to our sovereignty.

In retrospection, therefore, let’s remember Chief MOshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola whose victory was truncated on June 12th, 1993.

That presidential election was adjudged to be the fairest and freest in the annals of our history. Even in prison, MKO was resolute that his stolen mandate must be returned and to this, he eventually lost his life while in detention.

It is now instructive for us to carry on his kind of resiliency and steadfastness in defending the ideals of democracy and democracy itself from those who wish to pull the standing poles down.

I wish all Nigerians Happy Democracy Day.

Dr. Mike Onolememen