DEMOCRACY DAY: Keep Hope Alive, Okowa Urges Deltans

.... Promises Better Days Ahead.

... Says Rule of Law, Human Rights, Credible Elections And Good Governance Are Major Pillars of Democracy.

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq.

As Nigerians mark Democracy Day in commemoration of the 1993 Presidential election, adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has again emphasized the need for stakeholders to deepen the nation's constitutional democracy through credible elections.

He said the very essence of Democracy Day is to celebrate sustained good governance, free, fair and transparent elections as recorded on June 12, 1993; and to also recognise and appreciate the various contributions of our heroes past, in ensuring stability in representative government and to build a prosperous, united and developed nation.

Gov Okowa's idea of democratic values was contained in his Democracy Day message to the good people of Delta State, through his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, on Friday in Asaba.

He assured Deltans of his unalloyed commitment to the overall development of the state, build a strong economy via the Stronger Delta mantra, and leave behind a hard to defeat legacy in 2023.

The Governor affirmed that his administration was determined to complete all life changing projects it had begun across the State, saying that the government was resolute on timely completion of projects and programmes.

In addition, he said that the government had made sufficient provision in the revised 2020 Budget for some key projects, adding that they would be scaled up in subsequent budgets.

The governor urged Nigerians to continue to work together in unity so as to surmount the challenges threatening to destabilise the democratic experience and undo the gains of the past 21 years.

“On behalf of government and the people of Delta, I congratulate Nigerians on the occasion of the 2020 Democracy Day celebration.

"Our people have enjoyed democracy since 1999 and appreciate better, the inherent gains of democratic governance - respect for human rights and the rule of law.

"In order to protect this hard learned democracy, we must work harmoniously to improve on our electoral system.

“As we mark this year’s celebration on a low-key note, because of the COVID-19 scourge, our administration remains irrevocably committed to the provision of life changing economic projects that will improve the welfare of our people.

“To sustain the execution of these projects this critical period, we have revised our budget in such a way that we can get maximum value for our people in spite of the effects of the pandemic on our finances. 

"As at today, our total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has risen to 225 and it is my appeal to all Deltans to continue to imbibe the culture of the new normal, which is the wearing of face masks in public places, physical-distancing, regular hand washing and other personal hygiene injunctions. 

"As a government, whose policies and programmes are stoutly predicated on democratic principles, we will continue to run our activities along those lines - providing citizens with deserving dividends for attainment of prosperity for all Deltans, maintaining the momentum of our infrastructural development of the state in all facets and sustaining the drive for actualisation of a Stronger Delta.

"And, to encourage the practice of democracy in the state, we shall continue to give equal opportunities to all of our party members by ensuring internal democracy at all times.

"While other states struggle to deliver party candidates in elections, we shall continue to be a model of internal democracy in our party.

“We should be proud to be Nigerians, because God in His infinite wisdom did not make a mistake in making us Nigerians.

"Democracy Day was a day to celebrate our glorious state and great nation; and to pay tribute to our countrymen and women who sacrificed so that we can celebrate this day.

"We should never forget the sacrifices of our heroes past.

“In spite of the challenges we are facing as a nation, we must remain resolute to keep alive the dreams of our founding fathers." Gov Okowa said in his Democracy Day message.