•FG opts for low-key celebration
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The federal government yesterday said this year’s Democracy Day which holds on June 12 will be an understated celebration to reflect the cost-cutting direction of the administration.
A presidential aide, Mr. Dele Alake made the clarification yesterday at the World Press Briefing on the programme of activities to mark the 2023 Democracy Day.
He said there was no ideal moment to start the cost-saving measures than Democracy Day which is very symbolic to Nigerians.
“I think there is no rocket science in advancing the reasons. We just had a celebration a few days ago to mark the Presidential Inauguration Day but beyond that is in fact it meant to be a symbol to reflect the cost-cutting policy of this administration. And there is no more significant place to start off with the policy than the celebration of Democracy Day which is a watershed in the annals of Nigeria,” Alake said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said that having had an elaborate Presidential Inauguration last month, activities to mark the Democracy Day would only be limited to the World Press Briefing and a Presidential Broadcast at 7 a.m. on June 12.
Akume said the events will be broadcast live on all major stations and streamed on various social media platforms.
He stressed that Democracy Day has been reviewed to be celebrated annually from May 29 to June 12 in honour of late Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 election and other heroes who made extraordinary sacrifices for the enthronement of democratic rule from 1999.
However, he said May 29 remains the date or anniversary of handing over or taking over of power, which happens every four years according to the Nigerian Constitution.
Akume said that the celebration of democracy day predated the transition to democratic rule in 1999 as the annulled election in 1993 caused tragic consequences for the country.
“Some Nigerians who paid the supreme price will be remembered for planting the seeds of uninterrupted democracy. June 12 remains a day that is free and gives us opportunity to reflect on importance of democracy and to continue on that path.
“To commemorate this year’s anniversary, it is expedient for citizens and foreigners alike to take stock of how the nation has fared so far and assess the dividends that democracy has ensued as well as areas where we need to make improvements. It is in light of this that the theme of this year’s Democracy celebration is ‘Hope Reassured’,” Akume said.
