Despite attaining twenty-six years of uninterrupted democratic governance in the country, Former Federal Lawmaker Chief Ogbonna Nwuke says a lot still needs to be done to safeguard democracy in Nigeria.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, Chief Nwuke emphasized that a lot has been achieved under our democratic dispensation; however, he identified the high cost of governance, insecurity, weak institutions, and fear of a one-party state as issues that should be addressed for democracy to survive in the country.
”We should be weary not to encourage the idea of a one-party state because we will be leaning toward a dictatorship. I think there is something good in having opposition parties, the fact that they serve as a constant reminder to those with the reins of government that they need to do well to stay on.” “The opposition offers an alternative viewpoint which may reflect the view of the silent majority that think this is the route the country should travel.”
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While noting that the people have crucial roles to play in any democratic setting by using their votes to decide those who govern, the former federal lawmaker urged the Nigerian electorate to actively participate in any democratic process to elect good leaders, for effective governance in the country.
”You cannot say we didn’t vote for them, or you cannot say it is their government. It is our government; all of us own this government; there is no reason we will not continually engage politically to uplift not just the quality of our politics but the quality of our democratic institutions.”
”The involvement of Nigerian People makes more sense and gives more validity to our democratic process, so more Nigerians should turn out each time we have an election to decide who governs them.”
Chief Nwuke, who praised the military for remaining committed to their constitutional role of defending the country’s territorial integrity, said maintaining a high level of professionalism for the Nigerian army and good governance is required to keep the military out of politics.
