As Nigeria marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule today, Thursday, 29th May, 2025, a South West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP), Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has admonished political officer holders at all levels of governance in the country to use their good offices to showcase and demonstrate democratic process of governance.
Ajadi, while congratulating Nigerians for having the longest years of democratic rule since independence, said, with 26 years of continuous democratic rule, “we can no longer pretend that we are yet to master the democratic tenets.”
He equally reminded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration which clocked two years that one of its campaign promises during the 2023 elections is constant electricity supply.
Ajadi said up till today, that promise has not been fulfilled as people still experience low and in most cases no supply of electricity.
He urged government to ensure steady supply of electricity, saying this is what can attract investors to the country.
Ajadi expressed saddness that the people at the helm of affairs in the country are still tied to the system of military dictatorship when they were actually elected by the electorate through the ballot papers at elections.
The NNPP Chieftain urged politicians to use the 26th democracy anniversary to remember that Nigeria is no more under military dictatorship and the ethics of democracy which places power in the hands of the people should be respected.
According to the statement, “I rejoice with all Nigerians as we celebrate 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country. The period between 1999 and today is the longest period of uninterrupted democratic rule since our country’s independence in 1960.
“It is sad however that though in every democracy, people are placed first, as their interest matters and they are the pillars upon which the government rest, but in Nigeria our political leaders are still running the government like a military system. They most times suppress people’s will. This is not in tune with democracy.
“Let me use this occasion to also remind President Tinubu’s administration that one of its promises while campaigning is provision of regular supply of electricity but two years after people are still suffering from epileptic supply of electricity.
“Let me warn the government to fulfill its promise on electricity and should remember that non – fulfilment of the promise could work against the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the 2027 election.
“The people at the helm of affairs of the nation should use their good offices to demonstrate, showcase and practice democratic process of government instead of practising military system of government in a democracy.
“As we celebrate today, let’s remember what democracy stands for and adhere to its tenets. Political leaders at the Federal, State and Local Governments levels should provide dividends of democracy to the people who elected them into office. They should put the interest of the masses in the frontline of governance.
“They should also at all times ensure that people’s lives and properties are safe and the masses are protected from avoidable deaths”.
