Prince Adewale Adebayo of the SDP asserts democracy is Nigeria’s best option for leadership selection, despite imperfections, urging citizens to demand accountability and perfection
Nigeria Democracy remains the best option for electing the country’s leaders, according to Prince Adewale Adebayo, the Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general election.
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Adebayo made this assertion during a visit to the residence of MKO Abiola by members of the Pro-June 12 Movement and the Patriots in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday.
Adebayo acknowledged that even though democracy, as currently practiced, might be imperfect, it still stands as the fairest and surest way for the minority to express their views and the majority to have their way.
The politician noted that despite democracy potentially not having met all expectations, Nigerians continue to enjoy fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech and association, as well as the right to elect their leaders.
He stated, “For us, our Democracy Day represents a statement of intent, irrevocable decision, and irretraceable step in our march to freedom from military rule and dictatorship.”
He added, “Although the practice of democracy in our country may have fallen below the expectations of not a few, we take solace in the fact that we have freedom of speech and association and we elect our leaders fairly, even though not perfectly.”
Adebayo reiterated, “Despite the imperfections of our democracy, it remains the best option for us in electing our leaders.”
For us, our Democracy Day represents a statement of intent, irrevocable decision, and irretraceable step in our march to freedom from military rule and dictatorship.
In light of this, the presidential candidate stressed that the task before Nigerians as a people and a nation is to strive towards perfecting their democracy, especially in critical areas such as transparent and credible elections, accountable governance, and robust citizen participation.
The SDP presidential candidate also charged public officeholders to serve the people with humility.
He reminded them that government was not a place for revenge, personal reward, egoism, or aggrandisement.
According to him, rather, it is a place to serve the rest of the citizens, who cannot converge on the State House or the National Assembly or judge every case in the judiciary.
Adebayo warned those in public office to be mindful of the fragile nature of the country, adding that many heroes had passed away while many of the players were still alive.
He said Nigerians had learned many lessons, encompassing citizens’ lessons, political parties’ lessons, and civil society lessons.
The SDP candidate also pointed out institutional lessons for the military, as well as crucial lessons for the government of the day.
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Adebayo, however, urged the electorate to hold leaders accountable, noting that poor governance can be challenged and changed through the ballot box every four years.