Some stakeholders in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states have expressed mixed reactions in their appraisal of Nigeria’s 26 years of unbroken democratic rule.

Some of the stakeholders, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that Nigeria had made significant progress since the inception of democracy in 1999 while others decried the slow pace of changes so far.

Some of the residents in Anambra lauded the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria for the past 26 years saying that the “Democracy Day, June 12,” was worth celebrating but for the current economic hardship ravaging the country.

They noted that the measures had deepened democracy in the country, although the political leaders had not adhered to democratic tenets, resulting in the slow pace of development and current economic hardship.

Mr John Okoli-Akirika, an Awka based legal practitioner and public commentator, said that 26 years of uninterrupted democracy was a welcome development that made many Nigerians to embrace democracy in spite of the political leaders not playing by the rules.

“I am an apostle of good governance, if you ask a question whether Nigerians should celebrate the June 12, I will say yes.

“But if you say whether Nigerians should celebrate under the current economic hardship, I will say no,” he said.

Okoli-Akirika said that the June 12 marked the watershed in the political history of the nation.

According to him, it was the day Nigerians came out en masse and voted in a general election, without regard to regional, ethnic and religious biases.

“On that day Nigerians came out en masse and participated in the most transparent election of this country.

On the former late Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, he commended the Federal Government for recognising him as a proponent of credible elections and democracy.

He noted that the late Nwosu rose above matters of the moment to carry out his duties to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“Therefore we have to celebrate late Nwosu posthumously because he manifested uncanny courage by daring the military rule to announce the presidential election results of June 12, 1993 under the then military President, Ibrahim Babangida.

“The method of voting was “Option A Four,” where every Nigerian voter knew the results before it was formally announced,” he said.

The public commentator therefore urged the federal government to put in place an electoral process that would guarantee free, fair and credible elections in the country.

“INEC disappointed Nigerians in 2022 Electoral Act in practice by not announcing the results of the election online, claiming that it was not part of the Electoral Act but rather in the INEC guidelines.

“We expect the current government as a matter of urgent service to the nation, to reflect on an amendment in the Electoral Act, making online declaration of election results mandatory,” he said.

He said that the measure would ensure transparency in declaration of election results.

Okoli-Akirika decried the current hardship ravaging the country, saying it should be a source of concern to the federal government and states.

“This is because the purchasing power of the average Nigerian can no longer match with the economy.

“The purchasing power of an average Nigerian has been rendered useless, the naira is virtually worthless when compared with many currencies,” he said.

He alleged that the federal government and states were not doing enough to tackle insecurity ravaging the country, calling for more proactive measures in dealing with the menace.

The legal practitioner also lamented the lopsidedness in political appointments by the federal government, calling for action to balance the equation.

Also, Mr Tony Okafor, Awka based media consultant, said that June 12 was worth celebrating as democracy day in Nigeria, owing to sufferings associated with long military rules that denied Nigerians their rights.

According to him, it is not yet uhuru, but democracy is worth celebrating because it is better than a military rule.

Another stakeholder, Chief Chunks Ilozue, Chairman, Correspondent Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Awka, described democracy as the best form of government in the world.

“There is the need for us to embrace democracy, so we should celebrate the June 12 which is now our democracy day.

“I believe that if democracy is practiced well in Nigeria, it will help us solve our economic and security challenges.

“The problem in Nigeria is that our politicians only pay lip service to democracy and not practicing it.

In Ebonyi, Mr Joseph Nnabugwu, a Lawyer and Political Analyst, hailed all Nigerians on its steadfastness in advancing the democratic system, calling for oneness among citizens.

Nnabugwu identified some set back since the inception of democracy to include: insecurity, corruptions, poor infrastructure among others.

“Well, let me say that, there have been a significant development in judicial system and some other sectors. We, in the judiciary, have enjoyed various reforms and constitutional amendments since the period.

“The democratic system has contributed to the growth of the judiciary, especially under President Bola Tinubu. The judiciary had witnessed reforms,” he stated.

Nnabugwu, however, noted that more still needed to be done to address corruption and other sectors of the government, so as to enhance its integrity and help to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

“We need to strengthen our rule of law through judicial autonomy, to ensure fairness in appointment of judges and quick dispensation of justice, among others,” he said.

Mr Christopher Okorie, Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Ebonyi commended progress so far made since the inception of democratic rule in the country.

Mr Ignatius Unah, Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) lamented over influx of portfolio farmers, urging the federal and state government to profile solution to checkmate diversion of inputs meant for the genuine farmers.

Unah said that to achieve food security, access to fund needed to be easily processed.

“Improve agricultural business across states of the federation. We have come of age as a nation. The youths must be properly engaged,” the Chairman stated.

A Civil Servant, Mrs Cecelia Ogodo also called for the need to prioritise workers wellbeing, decrying the current economic hardship in the country.

Ogodo noted that Nigeria, as a nation, had experienced various challenges in its democratic system.

According to her, addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from various stakeholders, including the government, civil society, among others.

On solutions to insecurity, Mr Joseph Nwobasi, Member of the House of Representative, representing Ezza-North-Ishielu federal constituency suggested a national town hall meeting with stakeholders in all the six geopolitical zones in the country.

Nwobashi noted that the town hall was imperative because the stakeholders live in the communities and understand the workings of their environment.

In Enugu State, the former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Chief Osita Okechukwu, blamed some past governors in the country for the bane in democracy dividends.

According to him, many governors acted as emperors and did not make a distinction between their interests and those of the people.

The APC chieftain expressed regret that Nigerians, most of the time transferred their aggression and hauled their blames to whoever was the president.

He commended President Tinubu for his vision to checkmate underdevelopment in the regions by setting up and funding regional development commissions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Democracy Day (June 12) is a national public holiday in Nigeria to commemorate the restoration of democracy in 1999, commemorated on 12 June.

Until 2018, it was celebrated annually on May 29. It is a tradition that has been held annually, beginning in year 2000. (NAN)