Democracy Day: NGO urges Tinubu to avoid divisiveness, nepotism in leadership

Senator Polycarp Nwite Foundation for Democratic Accountability (SPNFDA) has asked President Bola Tinubu to avoid divisiveness, nepotism and ethnic bigotry in leading Nigeria. 

In a statement on Sunday, the organisation congratulated Tinubu on his inauguration, adding that as Nigeria celebrates its democracy on June 12, the president should be reminded of the country’s unity.

The foundation said the spirit of oneness that brought Nigerians together in the pro-democracy movement of the 90s, gave birth to the present democratic dispensation.

“The unity of Nigeria, prosperity and welfare of its peoples is the single most important task of the President Tinubu government,” the statement reads. 

“Democracy in its purest form only exists to serve the best interest of the people, in an equitable, just, transparent and unifying manner, that enables trust and engenders patriotism and pride in nationhood; and belief in democratic practice and leadership.

“We are absolutely convinced and confident that President Tinubu, being one of the courageous fighters for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria, as the current man in the driving seat of Nigeria’s democratic leadership, is not only conversant with the democratic principles, norms and nuances but is also willing and courageous enough to lead Nigeria to the future that would abhor divisiveness, fight nepotism, ethnic and religious bigotry, government indifference and insensitivity to the plight of the people and glaring injustice of the unequal distribution of opportunities and the commonwealth of the nation.

“We are most glad, and I believe that our late father, Senator Nwite would’ve shared the same sentiments, were he to be alive, that President Tinubu, who he fondly called ‘Bola’, now has the opportunity to fix Nigeria for the good of the people, in a democratic setting, like they had dreamt about, both in the trenches and in a detention camp at Alagbon Close, Lagos state, where they were next-door cell mates in the dark days of military dictatorship.  

“The tough decisions President Tinubu has made right from his first day are indicative of a president who will lead from the front and make tough calls for the overall good of the people. Nigeria deserves a leader that will be bold and decisive in policy formulation, implementation and declarations that guarantee democratic dividends and accountability to the Nigerian people.

“Today, as we remember and celebrate our heroes of democracy, both dead and alive, we urge President Tinubu to urgently take decisive steps to fight corruption, criminality and the intractable insecurity challenges across the nation, because we are of the opinion that no system of government, would make any meaningful progress in a situation characterised by multidimensional insecurity, fear and despondency, as we have in the nation at the moment.”

The foundation also implored the president to take decisive action in education, health and electricity generation and distribution, to curb unproductivity, youth unemployment, and mass migration to foreign land.