The Labour Party (LP) candidate during the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, on Monday said that he remains convinced that a New Nigeria is possible.
Obi said this in his official speech to Nigerians on Nigeria’s Democracy day which is marked in the country on June 12 of every year.
“Personally, I remain committed and convinced that a New Nigeria is POssible. Our aspiration for a nation of equity, justice, security and peace can hardly be utopia. We are a nation blessed richly with human and natural resource,” he tweeted.
Obi said what Nigeria lacks are selfless leaders who are committed to national interest, sustainable development and innovative thinking that offers every Nigerian irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social strata, the freedom of choice of abode, and protection lives, property and ordered liberties.
“These aspirations are real and achievable and I hereby reiterate my promise to Nigerians that we will not relent in our fight to bring about a leadership that will accord them the priority they deserve.
“Let me, therefore, on behalf of Labour Party (LP) and the Obidient Movement across the globe wish all Nigerians a happy democracy day,” he wrote.”
Obi also noted that June 12, marked in our dear country as Democracy Day is a historic day that deserves to be celebrated.
“On that day in 1993, we the people of Nigeria stated our unreserved preference for true democracy,” the LP presidential flagbearer tweeted.
“Though under military rule, we freely chose a transparent voting method. Our votes reflected our true choice as a people.
“Our choice on that day defied divisions of ethnicity, religion and region. It is these qualities that added up to make June 12 special in our search for true democracy.”
The former Anambra State governor noted that the collective choice of late Chief M. K.O AbIola as a worthy leader for the nation was saluted by Nigerians and governments and peoples across the world, pointing out that June 12 underpins Nigerians’ long collective journey to nationhood as a true democracy.
“Our collective choice of late Chief M. K.O Abiola as a worthy leader for the nation was saluted by Nigerians and governments and peoples across the world. Therefore, June 12 underpins our long collective journey to nationhood as a true democracy.
“However, the current state of our politics tells a different story. Our democracy is deeply troubled while our nation’s destiny remains uncertain and precarious. We remain a nation in search of solutions to too many basic problems.
“Above all, the government must respect and protect the institutions of the democratic state by respecting the social contract with the people by meeting their needs, obeying their wishes and fulfilling the responsibilities of responsible governance as contained in the constitution.”
According to Obi, the cardinal responsibility of the government in this regard is respect for the rule of law.
Regrettably, though, Obi feels that we are now in an era where these foundational pillars of democracy are undermined by prevalent impunity and pervasive violence and bloodletting.
He further stated that it is such a sad thing to note that the trust deficit between the leaders and Nigerians continues to expand.
“The deficits of trust and efficiency in our last elections demonstrate this malady quite boldly. The challenge of June 12 and a dedicated Democracy Day is to inspire us to correct the errors of our recent elections.” he stated.
Obi believes that his is the surest way to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the future of the nation and the promise of true democracy.
He, however, urged the people of Nigeria not to lose faith in the inbuilt design of our democratic system to self-correct.
