A coalition of human rights and pressure groups in Osun state, the Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC) has argued that the recognition of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day has strengthened democracy in Nigeria.
According to OCSC, there have been genuine agitation for improved democratic processes in the country since President Muhammad Buhari declared June 12 as Democracy Day.
The group stated this on Friday in a press conference in Osogbo as part of the programmes for the Democracy Day celebration in conjunction with the state government.
The OCSC applauded President Buhari for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day to honour the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1999 presidential election, Late Moshood Abiola, just as it called for more processes that would guarantee free, fair and credible elections.
Leaders of various pressure groups, Comrade Waheed Lawal, Amitolu Shittu and Wale Olabisi, said the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day has further strengthened democracy in the country.
The trio added that it would also engender the development as democracy is seen as the bedrock of any development.
Praising former governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration for supporting the June 12 struggles and being the first to recognise the day with holiday, the activists described democracy as bedrock of of development in any society of the world.
According to the coalition, “When the progressive government took reign of government in the state of Osun, Ogbeni Aregbesola gave the official recognition to June 12 and he supported it with a public holiday, making Osun as the only state in Nigeria that steadfastly celebrates June 12.
“Another lesson is that democracy is the bedrock of development of any society in the world. We have recorded this in our dear State of Osun from 1993-2020, from Chief Bisi Akande to the current Governor Adgboyega Oyetola administration of democracy from 2018 till date.
“In addition Osun is leading in agriculture and its employment ration is still one of the best in the country. And peace and security, the state can beat its chest as the safest in Nigeria”, they said.
The civil societies leaders said all hands must be on deck to give all the necessary support for the government of the day in state to succeed adding that thus would ensure the sustenance of the present tempo of development experienced in the state.
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