A former Presidential aspirant, and the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore has said that those who fought for democracy in Nigeria made a mistake of handing over the country to charlatans.
Sowore stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the panel discussion at the launching of a book titled, “Demonstration of Craze” authored by Hon. Abdul Oroh.
He noted: “There was a mistake we must admit to that we made when democracy came about in 1999. In all fairness, we shouldn’t have allowed charlatans to hijack the democratic process. We did and we are guilty of where we are today.
“Whoever you see in INEC today are most likely APC card carrying members. And for those of you who think that INEC is the biggest problem, you’re making a mistake. The biggest people who rig elections in Nigeria, who fix elections are in the military, the security services.
“I was in the DSS when the Kogi election happened in 2019. They emptied the place. The only person that was left at the DSS was the guys who were guarding my cell and the guys at the gate. Every other person went to Kogi state to rig the election for Yahaya Bello.”
Also, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsajani said many people die in the course of ensuring that democracy returns in Nigeria.
He lamented that people who did not fight for democracy have found themselves in various positions, and they are mining the collective efforts that people have made in this country to have democracy.
Earlier, the Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani said that political office holders must avoid actions that would make people lose faith in democracy.
He added that politicians must lead by example and be accountable to the people that vote them into power.
The governor, who was represented by his Principal Private Secretary, Prof. Bello Ayuba, said the author captured in graphic terms the dilemma of the civil rights activist in politics.
Sani stated: “How do you navigate the slippery world of Nigerian politics with your values and ethics? This is the dilemma some of us continue to face as we strive to live lasting legacies of self service.
“As activists in politics, we must lead by example while in office based on the mandate given to us by the people.We must therefore be accountable to them. The welfare and security of the people must be our top priority.
“So, we must avoid actions that will make the people to lose faith in democracy. We have a collective responsibility to defend this democracy.
“Anyone who experiences military rule will not toy with democracy. Despite its imperfections, constitutional democracy remains the best system of government. It is key principles like participation of citizens, rule of law, equality, transparency, accountability, human right, political tolerance, multi-party system as well as pre and elections are critical to the building as well as sustainers of a diverse and complex nation like Nigeria.”