President of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Prince Kehinde Taiga, has charged Nigerian politicians to uphold the tenets of democracy in the discharge of their leadership duties.
He gave the charge in his message to Nigerians on the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day celebration on Monday June 12, 2023.
While congratulating Nigerians on the historic event, Taiga saluted all those who have worked hard for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.
According to him, Nigeria’s enduring democracy is a product of the efforts of both living and fallen heroes.
“If not for the struggle of the heroes past and those that are alive today, we wouldn’t have experienced democracy,” he stated.
Prince Taiga described democracy as a system of government, whereby supreme power is vested in the people.
He said, “It is the government of the people, by the people and for the people – where the people give their opinion and their opinion come to stay, in developing their land.”
He lamented that Nigeria’s democracy has not fared well in the past few years, a situation he blamed on selfishness among the political elites.
Taiga referred to the system being operated by some Nigerian politicians as “Cabalcracy – where a group of cabals make decision and the decision binds on the majority; where the corrupt cabals loot the money that is meant for the development of our country, Nigeria.”
He therefore, called on public office holders at all levels, to ensure effective representation of the people who voted them into office, by prioritizing their welfare, or risk being recalled.
“So, if opportunity is given to you, to represent your people in a democratic system of government, you should understand what democracy means; that without the people you cannot be there.
“Any leader who fails us in this current dispensation, we are ready to vote them out, after four years,” he stated.
Prince Taiga also called on all political gladiators to support those who emerged winners of the last election, to move the country forward.
He said, “I call on every politician and political party, that elections have come and gone. What they need to do is not litigation, but to support everyone that has been sworn-in, that won an election, to enable them discharge their duties for the benefit of the masses, because if we continue litigation and court cases, government will not run smoothly.”
While commending the leadership style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he urged him to run an all-inclusive and people-oriented government.
“We also urge our president to continue his goodwill; and we believe in his capacity to deliver democracy to Nigerians.
“We urge him to develop and transform Nigeria, because to whom much is given, much is expected.
“He should not be a political party president, but the president of Nigeria. He should also appoint competent people to work in his government, so that insecurity and underdevelopment will be things of past history in Nigeria,” he stated.
Taiga again, congratulated Gorvernor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state, and urged him to constitute his cabinet with competent persons, irrespective of political affiliations, so as to help him move the state forward. He also prayed God to grant the governor the strength and wisdom to make life better for Deltans.
