Osinbajo: Peaceful conduct of party primaries shows our democracy is growing

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says despite the current challenges, Nigeria’s democracy is showing signs of positive growth.

Osinbajo spoke on Sunday at the 2022 Democracy Day inter-denominational church service, held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.

According to the vice-president, the events that have characterised Nigeria’s politics since the beginning of democratic rule in 1999 show that the country is capable of fostering good governance.

“In the last couple of weeks, party primaries have been held by political parties, big and small and across the country, without violence, rancour or the prevalence of bitter court cases as have characterised the process in times past. We are growing,” he said.

“The social contract between the government and the people with the ballot as arbiter is daily being strengthened. The combined effort of government, the people and civil society across the federation are bringing us closer to our highest democratic ideals and aspirations.

“So, this is a day for gratitude and hope — a day to remind ourselves that what was once thought impossible of Nigeria has been proven possible, and that what is yet considered so, is well within our grasps. We only have to keep moving forward, each one of us playing our part.

“It is possible for light to overcome darkness; it is possible for joy to overcome sorrow; it is possible for peace to prevail over terror; it is possible for us to be united, irrespective of our cultural, linguistic, religious or even ideological differences.

“Jesus said to the crowd in Luke 12:54: ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘it’s going to rain,’ and it does.’ We have seen the rain coming over Nigeria. A rain of peace and prosperity — one which like the goodness of God, touches everyone no matter who or where they are.

“Today, let us rest assured in the promise and possibilities of Nigeria. We have the talent, and the resources to be a beacon of hope and standard-bearer for the rest of Africa and the black race.”

Osinbajo added that he believes in the possibilities that Nigeria can achieve, adding that the country will overcome its challenges.

“We have been progressively proving that we have what it takes to run an open, honest and transparent government that guarantees the rule of law and secures every corner of the nation; that in this decade, we can lift 100 million people out of poverty and guarantee equal access to education and opportunities for our women, bringing to fruition the most comprehensive social welfare programme for the poor and vulnerable on this side of the planet,” he said.

“We know the challenges. We live with them. But we also know, and we have seen, in the words of Paul the Apostle that: ‘in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us’, and that our nation will continue its long but steady march toward the fulfillment of its God-ordained destiny.

“I believe you are as persuaded as I am because we know that: ‘all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose’. All things are working toward the emergence of a stronger, unified, peaceful and economically prosperous Nigeria.”