Senator Mark spoke during a special church service at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo in Abuja to mark this year’s Democracy Day, adding that there was no alternative to democracy because “it is participatory and representative of all.”
He, however, bemoaned the unabating security situation in the country and asked all citizens to cooperate with government and security operatives to fight terrorism and insurgency ravaging the land.
He also prayed for the quick, safe and unconditional release of over 200 girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.
“This is most embarrassing. How can they justify the abduction of these innocent girls whose only offence is that they chose to be educated to better their lots and ultimately contribute to the economic and socio-political development of their fatherland?
“We pray that God touch the heart of their abductors to free them even as we do everything humanly possible to rescue our girls. However, swapping them for criminals is not an option,” he said.
For his part, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State expressed hope that peace would eventually come to the land despite the turbulent times. In his message to commemorate the event, he recalled that when democracy took roots in the country 15 years ago, Nigeria was a wasteland of dead and dying dreams.
Painting a vivid picture of the country before the current democratic regime, Obiano said: “We had wandered in the wilderness of dictatorship for many years with only occasional glimpses of democracy. Our youths fled Nigeria in droves to known and unknown places across the globe in pursuit of a better future. Unemployment raged like a harmattan wind and all over the country, there was fear and uncertainty.”
The governor, however, expressed dismay that in the last five years, “we have watched in utter horror as the dark designs of the merchants of terror eat away at the very foundations of our liberty. We are astonished at their wanton violation of the age-old respect for the sanctity of human life as well as their brazen disregard of all civilised conventions of armed conflict that emphasise the protection of women and children at all times and in all situations. With every new act of terror, it becomes clearer to us that a season of anomie has set upon us and we need faith in each other to see the next day.
“Every new bomb that explodes in the streets is a huge test to our democracy and the freedom it brings.”
Also, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi, said in spite of the problems in the country, Nigeria would continue to embrace democracy because it was the preferred option of government.
“In spite of those difficulties, the PDP stands out as the most accommodating party englobing the widest variety and composition of Nigerian people.
“As we continue our forward march, we expect more challenges which are not only the concomitants of growth and development but also the assault which comes to a champion by way of envy borne out of victory.”
Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, urged Nigerians not to lose faith with democracy but to be patient, saying the system of government was bound to wax stronger. Acknowledging that the nation was passing through a critical stage, he reiterated that he was optimistic that Nigeria would emerge a solid country, saying it had everything to be a leading nation in the world.
Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, urged all Nigerians to embrace peace as a means to the continued unity and progress of the country.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan and expressed satisfaction with his commitment, dogged disposition and adherence to democratic principles in the face of daunting security challenges.
He called on Nigerians to be supportive of the policies and programmes of President Jonathan, describing him as the most democratic leader in the history of the country.
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