Biyi Samuel/Akure
A human right activist and a lawyer, Dr Tunji Abayomi has faulted the 1999 constitution being in place in the country, saying it is against the well being of the people.
He however said that for Nigeria democracy to stand, the problem of Nigeria was not restructuring as
people talk about it, but to have an agreed upon structure of government, stressing that at any rate it was only the constitution that could structure or restructure Nigeria or any nation for that matter.
Abayomi gave the disclosure while delivering the Democracy Day Lecture titled; ‘ Democracy and Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and the way forward’ held at the International Event Centre,(The Dome) Akure, the state capital.
He said it is the constitution that should give rise to any government as against what was being witnessed in the country ,where the government at various levels gave the constitution.
He said constitution is an agreement by the people on how they want to be governed adding that democracy is never a finished project, rather is always revolving.
While saying democracy requires exposing the people to choosing their leaders and also the need for responsible law for national development, said the people should be ready to fight for their right.
The former governorship aspirant in the state, further explained that the bane of the country’s democracy has been the abject poverty in the land, the menace of corruption and the unjust distribution of the national wealth.
He therefore urged the National Assembly to enact laws that would enable the people to have their constitution, while also saying constitutional democracy should be freely negotiated by the people.
In his address, the governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN expressed the government’s appreciation to the guest lecturer whom he described as an accredited patriot for accepting to deliver the lecture.
The governor appreciated the people of the state for their support since the inception of the government, saying his government would not fail in its electioneering promises.
Akeredolu while saying democracy has never being about election, but our ability to manage dissecting views for development, said there is need for improvement in the nation’s democracy.
While declaring June 12 as work free day in the state, Akeredolu said the celebration of democracy day on May 29 is still important.
The Governor further re-echoed his long time support for restructuring for Nigeria to survive her current challenges.
While urging the people to have a rethink and rededicate themselves to nation building , advised the youth to actively participate.
