De Norsemen Kclub International joins all Nigerians to celebrate Nigeria’s first Democracy Day on June 12. With this, June 12 has become indelible in the history of our dear country. Observing this date as Democracy Day has heightened our democratic hope. Sadly, this first observance may not be celebrated in full blast because the world is moody and downcast as a result of Coronavirus that has hit her and brought social and economic life to a standstill.
De Norsemen Kclub International, an organization that champions and promotes humanitarian services, good governance and leadership training, wishes to reiterate her support for all democratic ideals that uphold citizens’ participation in governance such as fundamental human rights, free and fair elections, independent judiciary, separation of power, security of lives and properties, rule of law and free press.
We believe that the celebration of Democracy Day today will help our leaders to understand that sustainable development, good governance, peace and security depend totally on selfless service, transparency and probity. We call on our leaders to build and strengthen all democratic institutions and empower them to outlive generations of leaders to come.
Even though democracy does not guarantee absolute freedom, we call on our citizens to imbibe democratic principles and take part in governance by holding leaders accountable. The era of docility and fear should be discarded. Citizens must eschew crime and use all democratic instruments to ask questions on how they are governed and how the nation’s limited resources are allocated and appropriated.
In the spirit of democracy, which Abraham Lincoln described as the government of the people, by the people and for the people, De Norsemen Kclub International charges citizens to always come out during elections and vote out leaders that have not led them well in accordance with democratic principles and relevant laws.
In a democracy, power belongs to the people. The people must not only have their say, they must have their way but must remain law abiding. Our people must take a clue from what is happening in America and other democratic countries and rise up against injustice, abuse of power, looting, rape and all forms of insecurity. Citizens must demand equality and equity as well as provision of social amenities as their non-negotiable rights in a democracy.
We commend the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for adopting June 12 as the new Democracy Day in Nigeria. We hope that the free, fair and credible election associated with June 12 which made it unique will be adopted in the conduct of all elections in Nigeria. We believe that flawed election is a flawed democracy which ushers in flawed leadership that stifles people’s development and survival. We must arise and embrace true democracy.
Happy Democracy Day, Nigerians!
Chief Dr Adeshola Giwa
International President, De Norsemen Kclub International.