By Emeka Nwokocha
The Executive Director of Nathan Osume Foundation and National Democratic Party’s Senatorial Candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, Delta State in the upcoming 2027 general election, Nathan Osume, has congratulated Nigerians as the country marks Democracy Day on Friday, June 12.
In a statement made available to journalists, in Warri, Osume described the Democracy Day as a rallying point for Nigerians, saying the day is fundamental in the history and democratic governance in Nigeria.
Osume stated that commemoration of the day calls for an appraisal of the country’s tortuous journey towards building a viral and forward-looking nation that not only guarantees safety and welfare of every citizen but prioritises the sacrosanctity of rule of law as institutionalised by the 1999 constitution as the fundamental anchor democracy. Continuing, Osume called on Nigerian leaders and Nigerians to reflect on the sacrifice made by courageous Nigerian democrats that culminated in the restoration of democracy in the country in 1999.
“Upholding democratic tenets ensures that the foundational principles and civil liberties championed by the Nigerian democrats are actively secured and expanded rather than dismantled,” he stated. Osume further called on Nigerian government to halt democratic decline driven by widespread insecurity, fragile judiciary, and actions that shrink civic space.
He charged the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to live up to its constitutional duties, expressing fear that the failure to halt widespread kidnappings and recurring violence is an invitiation to anarchy. “The Nigerian democratic system must move away from empty promises and slogans into tangible, accountable action,” he stated.
Reacting to the kidnap of pupils, students and teachers in Oriire LGA, Oyo state by bandits, Osume passionately called on Nigerian government not to waste further time in rescuing the victims, stating that the inability of the government to rescue the victims from kidnappers’ den seriously invalidates the reason for the Democracy Day celebration.
Osume also called on Nigerian government to respect the sacrosanctity of the 1999 constitution that guarantees every citizen the right to fair hearing; and the right to dignity of human person, stressing that the continuous detention of Okuama leaders in military facilities seriously makes a mockery of Nigerian democratic government.
“Under the Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, the judiciary holds ultimate legal authority and supersedes military law. While military courts (Courts Martial) strictly enforce the Armed Forces Act for service personnel, their jurisdiction does not override civilian constitutional rights,” he stated. Osume demanded urgent reforms to the Electoral Act to address inherent challenges in the country’s electoral process such as vote-buying, election violence, and irregularities in result transmission.
He called for protection of press freedom, stating that the role of press in holding elected officials accountable in a democratic society cannot be over emphasised. Osume saluted the courage and contribution of the good people of Delta Central to the betterment of Delta State and Nigeria, stating that through collective good efforts, Nigeria will be a better country for all to live in.