The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, has said the former President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), deserves accolades for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day.
Radda said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, and forwarded to newsmen in Katsina, according to Daily Post.
According to the Governor, the root of democracy has already been entrenched in Nigeria, barely 24 years after the country returned to civilian rule.
The statement read in part, “This year’s Democracy Day celebration should reawaken our consciousness to the exigent task of building a prosperous and egalitarian Nigeria, with strong and efficient institutions of governance.
“That is why the present set of Nigerian leaders, especially the political class, must strive towards making the country’s democracy a model for other African nations.
“There is the need for us to offer the masses a better deal, by providing them dividends of democracy. At a time the country is battling with a myriad of socio-economic challenges, we must do all we can to cushion the hardship of our people.”
Radda expressed gratitude to former President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as Nigeria’s new Democracy Day, in 2018, while also bestowing a posthumous national honour on the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Moshood Abiola
He said, “Buhari deserves tremendous plaudits for helping to nurture our democratic culture. His declaration of June 12 as the country’s new Democracy Day, about five years ago, was a watershed. History and posterity will fondly remember his invaluable service to the nation.
“The driving force of our administration will be service to the people, equity, and justice for all. We will run a people-oriented government and resist anything compromising our ability to put our people first.
“I will lead by example, and I expect members of my cabinet and all public servants to do the same. I will be accountable and periodically provide updates on the achievements and challenges of my administration.”
