From Editor
As Nigeria celebrates the “June 12 Democracy Day” today, a ranking member of the National Assembly, Hon Femi Bamisile, has declared that the only way democracy can be strengthened and sustained is by tackling the endemic corruption and poverty in the system.
Bamisile, who is a member of the House of Representatives, said any democracy not anchored on the masses, or help in tackling their challenges is bound to fail, urging Nigerian leaders to avoid such a pitfall that could derail the ongoing process.
Bamisile, who is representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, said this in his congratulatory message to Nigerians on the occasion of the celebration, released through his Media Office in Abuja, on Thursday.
The lawmaker saluted Nigerians for their fanatical beliefs in the sustenance of democracy despite the numerous challenges, saying military regime offers no potent alternative in spite of the multifaceted crises pummeling the country.
However, Bamisile, the Chairman House committee in Delegated Legislation stated that Nigerian leaders shouldn’t test the resolve of the masses to challenge the status quo, by being corrupt, insensitive and selfish in their services.
“To sustain this democracy, those of us in positions of leadership must be selfless and sensitive to the plights of Nigerians. Leaders can’t afford to be living large when the masses are wallowing in abject poverty. This may trigger distrust that can rupture the system.
“We must emplace a system whereby leaders will focus primarily on how to make lives better for the people. The system must be tightened in such a way that there won’t be corruption or kleptoctacy that can rob the people of the democracy gains.
“There must be selflessness on the parts of our leaders to build trust, there must be jobs for our rampaging and restive youths to wean them from criminalities, women must be engaged, children must be protected and made to grow with the right mindsets.
“These are the ways to protect our democracy from being faltered, derailed or truncated, so that we can all benefit from the practice”, he stated
Bamisile congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for striving hard to deliver and build trust between the leaders and the led.
“Let me say this, I am not saying things are going well in Nigeria, but President Tinubu starting his reforms right from his first tenure shows high level of sincerity. He didn’t pretend nor deceive the people.
“Some leaders will cajole the masses and wait till second term tenure before initiating difficult reforms. So, let us have faith in him that these reforms will bring dividends in no distant time”.
As INEC announced the date for Ekiti 2026 governorship election, Bamisile appealed to the electorate to be steadfast in their backings for Governor Oyebanji, so that the ongoing benefits can continue unabated.