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A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo said that Nigerians are experiencing hardship instead of dividends of democracy.
Oguntoyinbo lamented that after 25 years of continuous civilian rule, Nigeria is yet to imbibe the true spirit of democracy.
The NNPP chieftain used the opportunity to appeal to political leaders to play the game according to the rule.
He maintained that this will help to ensure that every individual irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliations enjoys the dividends of democracy.
Oguntoyinbo made these declarations in a statement to mark the country’s Democracy Day on Wednesday.
The NNPP chieftain while speaking, said Nigerians have been suffering since we started the current democratic dispensation.
He then used the opportunity to appeal to the leaders to enact policies that would make life more meaningful for the people.
“It is sad that after 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, our leaders are yet to embrace the true spirit of democracy. We have been having civilian rules that are not democratic.
“Starting from the election which is the basis of democracy, we have not had a free and fair election in this country. Rather than people deciding who to govern as it is obtained in true democracy, Five or Seven judges of the Supreme Court or Appeal Courts have been the ones deciding the winners of our elections.
“In a true democracy, there should be independence of three arms of government, but here in Nigeria, both Legislature and Judiciary are under the control of the Executive. Nigerians instead of experiencing dividends of democracy from the so-called elected leaders, are experiencing hardship, with many of them dying of hunger daily.
“As we are celebrating Democracy Day today, I urge our leaders to have a change of heart and put the interest of Nigerians in their minds. I urge the government to use this occasion to formulate policies that would bring growth and development, price control and components of true democracy.
“I also appeal to Nigerians to continue praying for our leaders for them to toe the right path in bringing development to our nation. We don’t have any other country and when our leaders get it right, we will all enjoy the resources that the Almighty has blessed us with”.
