Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi has called on Nigerians particularly Deltans to be optimistic about the future of the country and the state despite the current challenges facing the nation.
Gbagi, in his goodwill message issued on Sunday June 11, 2023, by his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, on the occasion of the nation’s Democracy Day, said the nation held abundant promises for the citizens, adding that Nigeria and Delta state have what it takes to overcome today’s threats and trials.
The former minister of state for education, encouraged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the citizens to re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of equity, justice, tolerance and strive to give their best for the good of the nation.
He recalled that Democracy Day is a
day the military handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1999 and it has been from one civilian administration to another without military incursion since then.
He said Democracy Day provides the opportunity to reflect on the country’s progress, its humble attainments and ponder over those dreams yet to be fulfilled.
The former Chairman, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for reviewing Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 to honour the late MKO Abiola and other heroes who sacrificed their lives to birth a new Nigeria.
Abiola was a Nigerian businessman, publisher, and politician in the Yorubaland. He was the supreme commander of the Oyo empire and an aristocrat of the Egba clan.
The SDP gubernatorial candidate recalled that M.K.O. Abiola ran for the presidency in 1993, for which the election results were annulled by then military president Ibrahim Babangida due allegations that they were corrupt and unfair.
Abiola was awarded the National honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), an honour awarded to only Nigerian heads of state, posthumously on 6 June 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria’s Democracy Day was changed to June 12.
He called on his teeming supporters and party faithful to use the day to spur up themselves, reflecting on the ideals of what Abiola and the SDP stand for.
He charged them to have faith in the ongoing tribunal to deliver judgement in his favour and the SDP.
“I join all citizens to celebrate Democracy Day of our great nation, Nigeria. As we mark this day, it allows us to reflect on our progress, celebrate our humble attainments and ponder over those dreams that are yet to be fulfilled.
“We may have hiccups along the way and challenging times that might be stretching our resolve and determination to forge ahead. But we should not relent nor succumb to fear, discouraging trials and threats of today.
“We will never lose hope in our country, state and in our indomitable spirit and capacity to overcome difficult times, seize the moment and conquer.
“Be positive with our case at the tribunal. we have a very good case, is for the tribunal to do what they need to do at the appropriate time,” Gbagi said.
