The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has felicitated Nigerians on this year’s celebration of Democracy Day and rallied support for the Federal Government. The party described the Democracy Day as unique as it marks the country’s years of uninterrupted democracy.
In a message signed by the founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees of NNPP, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, the party agreed that though it is not yet uhuru but however acknowledged that tremendous progress has been made as a nation looking at the journey so far.
“We insist that what temporarily divides us as a people is elections and political elites, once it’s over we are expected to unite in the interest of the people in order to enjoy the full gains and dividends of democracy.
“We therefore call on all well meaning lovers of democracy to lay down their political differences , embrace unity and responsible partnership with the government as we celebrate this year’s democracy day.
“We call for a united Nigeria, a united people that are determined to sustain the development of our dear country. We must use this celebration as a moment to reflect on our journey so far and to what extent we have tapped into our religious, cultural and ethnic diversities going forward,” the message noted.
While praying for an end to insecurity leading to incessant loss of innocent lives, NNPP called on the government to do more in securing the lives and properties of innocent and tax paying citizens. “The government must be decisive to halt the ongoing senseless killings in many parts of Nigeria including Plateau, Benue, Niger, Zamfara, Borno and several others and restore sanity for economic activities to thrive optimally,” NNPP stressed.
The party stated that it’s in the public domain that the lion of Bourdillon is known for taking wrong decision than taking none in a matter of urgent state importance as he removed the oil subsidy that his predecessors could not be bold enough to do inorder to stop the fraud against the state treasury, adding that NNPP believes that it is time for him to activate all the state coercive force to stop elements and sponsors of insecurity in Nigeria.
It defended cross-carpeting as allowed in every democracy, as the power to associate is sacred and even enshrined in the Nigerian constitution 1999 (as amended). It disagreed with those considering the ongoing political realignments as an attempt to make the country a one party state.
“As we approach 2027, Nigerians have the democratic right to move across political parties, it’s only incumbent on political parties to do more to plug holes created by the exit of such members. Any attempt to stop these movements is clearly an infringement on the rights to association and free movement which democratic principles clearly uphold,” the declared.
The NNPP reiterated that the fear of Nigeria democracy drifting into one party system does not arise, noting that individuals moving from one party to another does not mean a realignment of registered political parties with similar ideology, therefore movement of individual politicians are inconsequential to the subject matter.
The advised political elites who have access to government to understand that it shall be more productive to reach out to government through direct engagement and or memo on the best way to reevent Nigeria than playing to the gallery through media interventions.
“And for Mr President and his council of ministers, you have done well for showing strong leadership judging from where you started, the expectations of Nigerians are very high in tackling insecurity and downgrading corruption act in our country.
“However, it is the belief of new Nigeria People’s Party that it is time for most Nigerians to participate fully in building a new Nigeria of our dreams, carrying long list of complaints can not help other than responsible partnership with the government.
“We therefore call for total adherence to the principles of rule of law which is the hub with which democracy revolves. All tiers of government, federal, state and local councils as well as Nigerians must ensure the survival of our democracy by adhering strictly to the rule of law and constitutionality.
“All instruments of democracy must be protected, activated and made to function optimally. Yes, we can do it , through participation and mass movement against the evils of the society as we keep this conversation going forward, Godbless everyone,” the party said.