June 12: Nigeria’s democracy still struggling – PDP

The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says after so many years, democracy in Nigeria is still struggling.

The factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ini Ememobong, said this in a statement on Friday as Nigeria marks 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democracy.

The party said 33 years later, the lessons of June 12 ring out more resoundingly than ever, calling on the Federal Government to act responsibly to uphold democracy, to guarantee civil rights such as the right to peaceful assembly and protest, and to protect the democratic rights of the opposition.

It said that the lessons also remind the electoral umpire of its critical role in the survival of democracy, a role that demands transparent impartiality and unimpeachable fairness, not as aspirations, but as minimum standards.

According to the factional PDP, reality check, however, provides damning evidence that under the APC-led Federal Government, the lessons of June 12 remain painfully unlearned.

Democracy is still struggling 33 years after the June 12, 1993 election annulment.

Today, of all days-a day set aside to honour the blood of democratic martyrs, peaceful protesters were tear-gassed and assaulted in Abuja.

“Omoleye Sowore was reportedly injured and hospitalised for doing nothing more than demanding the immediate release of schoolchildren and teachers held hostage across different parts of the country.

“This Tinubu administration unashamedly prioritises optics over action, propaganda over policy, and dwells in a dangerous utopian self-delusion. Their disposition to governance has reduced this sacred day to a mere historic remembrance, rather than being a celebration of democratic consolidation.

“As the 2027 elections approach, we are hopeful that this commemoration will serve as a timely reminder to every citizen of the importance of vigilance and the unrelenting demand for democratic consolidation.

“The sacrifices of the past must not be reduced to ceremonial memory. They must be active warnings, that this country must never again travel the path of state-engineered anti-democratic actions,” the statement said.