The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has described June 12 democracy day commemoration as a symbol of democratic freedom and supremacy of the People’s power, which the federal government must respect in adherence to all democratic tenets.
The Caucus presented this position on Saturday, giving a four-point demand to move Nigeria from what it termed as the abyss of total destruction under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
The group in a statement by its leader, Kingsley Chinda made the demands to include “Improvement on our democratic practice by respecting the rule of law and press freedom, immediately reverse the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria and set aside the draconian regulation of the media in our country.
“Place greater value on Nigerian lives and take decisive and pragmatic steps to end the avoidable carnages and deaths in our land by adopting mind-set change programs.
“Restrain the Police and other security forces from further unleashing violence on unarmed youths and other peaceful protesters who choose to go out and exercise their rights in commemoration of this Democracy Day and on any other day they so desire, having led peaceful protest in the past”, and that;
“June 12 presents to our people another opportunity for introspection and to look back on the democratic journey of our nation, the road taken and not taken, and the sacrifices of citizens that make the day as historical as the memories that map both the journey and introspection. If the sacrifices of our people make the celebration of our nascent democracy worthwhile, it is because our people have come to cherish the blood, tears and toil of those whose sacrifices make the enjoyment of their rights and freedoms essential to democracy.
It said June 12 was not only about introspection, but about “renewing the commitments of all to the growth of democracy in our dear county, Nigeria, as it is about ensuring that our country is never again enveloped by darkness, hemmed to the abyss by the sinister forces that threaten our collective rights and freedoms”.
