The Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Joseph Albasu Kunini, has urged Nigerians, especially the political class, to promote the tenets of democracy for the nation to take her rightful place in the comity of nations.
He made the call on Thursday while commemorating this year’s International Day of Democracy with a theme, “Importance of media freedom to democracy, peace, and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals” in Jalingo.
Recall that the International Day of Democracy, which is celebrated on 15th September every year was established through a resolution passed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2007 to encourage governments worldwide to strengthen and consolidate democracy.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the key elements of democracy include holding free and fair elections at regular intervals and enabling people to choose their representatives.
The IPU stresses that elections in a democracy must be based on universal, equal, and secret suffrage to ensure that all citizens choose their representatives in conditions of openness, equality, and transparency that stimulate political competition.
Therefore, while commenting on this year’s celebration of the International Day of Democracy, the Speaker enjoined the political class in the country to promote the tenets of democracy by playing the game according to the rules for peaceful and successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
He argued that democracy as an ideal form of government in which people are the ultimate political authority can only be attained and sustained when it is made into reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.
“The International Day of Democracy also gives a chance to highlight the crucial role of parliaments and to celebrate their capability to deliver justice, development, human rights, and peace,” he said.
Democracy, according to him, would remain a mirage if the values of freedom, respect for human rights, rule of law, and the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage, which are essential elements, are lacking in the country.
“Therefore, as we commemorate this year’s International Day of Democracy, let us use the ample opportunity to review the state of democracy in our country, especially as the 2023 general elections approach,” he stressed.