President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday promised to diligently fulfill every aspect his electoral promises in order to position Nigeria on the path of sustainable development and ensure democratic dividends for the citizenry during his tenure.
The President, who made the pledge in his Democracy Day address to Nigerians pointed out that achieving this goal would come with some pains but solicited the support of Nigerians to make a little more sacrifice as the journey begins towards a glorious future for the country.
Tinubu promised to be faithful to truth, equity and justice, adding that his administration will exercise its authority and mandate to govern with fairness and respect for rule of laws.
While dwelling elaborately on the political significance of June 12 in Nigeria’s fledgling democracy and the sacrifices made by genuine patriots in the journey so far, particularly Chief MKO Abiola who died in the struggle to validate his 1993 Presidential election victory, the President pointed out that Nigerians must never take this democracy for granted but should forever jealously guard and protect it like a precious jewel.
He said: “We have traversed the dark, thorny path of dictatorship before and those who experienced it can readily testify to the unbridgeable gap between the dignity of freedom and the humiliation and degradation of tyranny. True, rancorous debates, interminable wrangling, ceaseless quarrels, bitter electoral contestations may be perceived by some as unattractive features of democracy. But they also testify to its merit and value.
“This year, we held the seventh in the cycle of elections that have become sacred rituals of our democratic practice in this dispensation since 1999.
“That the polls were intensely contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in our land. It is only natural that even as those who won and experienced victory in the various elections are elated and fulfilled, those who lost are disenchanted and disappointed. But the beauty of democracy is that those who win today can lose tomorrow and those who lose today will have an opportunity to compete and win in the next round of elections”, he added.
According to him, the recent harmonization of the retirement age for judicial officers is meant to strengthen the rule of law, which is a critical pillar of democracy that will yield right dividends to the people who are the shareholders.
Recalling the hope that was kindled by the late Chief MKO Abiola 30 years ago, whochristened his campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was convinced that there is nothing divine about poverty, Tinubu said it was this reason that, in his inauguration address on May 29, he gave effect to the decision taken his predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a few rich.
The President admitted that the decision would impose extra burden on the masses of our people and that he felt the pains of ordinary Nigerians sequel to the fiscal measure, stressing, however, that “this is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.
“Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain. The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.”, Tinubu assured.
“The democracy MKO Abiola died for is one that promotes the welfare of the people over personal interests of the ruling class and one where the governed can find personal fulfillment and happiness. That is the hope MKO Abiola ignited throughout our country in 1993.
The President promised that on his part and that of the new administration their “commitment to diligently fulfilling every component of our electoral pact with the people – the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
“We shall be faithful to truth. Faithful to equity. And faithful to justice. We shall exercise our authority and mandate to govern with fairness, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to always uphold the dignity of all our people”, he pledged.
