Views shared as Nigeria marks its Democracy Day

^{BY PAUL EZEOKE}
Nigerians have been urged to take full ownership of the country’s power structure to advance the course of democracy. This is part of the views expressed by some stakeholders on the Democracy Day celebration.
A medical practitioner and social Analyst, Professor ABC Nworah said while democracy is on course in the country, it is yet to meet the needs and aspirations of the people.
Professor Nworah lamented that the electoral process had remained faulty over the years pave way for imposition of leadership, manipulations and other electoral frauds that denied the electorate their constitutional right of choice and averted that all elections should be conducted jointly by Federal and state electoral commissions as a means of ensuring Check and Balances.

He noted that some people who are holding various elective positions are yet to justify the mandate they enjoy, pointing out that federal and state lawmakers in the country have continued to divert constituency funds allocated for projects in their areas and stressed the need to make public the salaries and allowances of lawmakers in the country to promote accountability while the electorate should be sensitized on  the resist inducement during elections so as  not to compromise their votes.
Professor Nworah who described President Muhammadu Buhari as a man of character, expressed confidence that with supports of Nigerians his administration would envolve the desire change.
In his reaction, a former commissioner for Lands, Mr. John Okoli  Akirika observed that the uninterrupted democracy for seventeen years has enable some Nigerians to imbibe basic democratic principles and norms essential for healthy development of democratic structures.
Mr. Okoli Akirika however lamented that some politicians still see elections as do or die affair and power as means to achieve personal ambition instead of opportunity to serve the people while some political parties still lack internal democracy.
He enjoined the electorate near to compromise their right as owners of political sovergnity to advance the course and frontiers of democracy while calling for political education of the electorate.
Mr. Okoli Akirika  urged the federal government to take bold steps to provide permanent solution to challenge of insurgency, military and menace  of Fulani herdsmen.
Also speaking a community leader from Isiagu, Mr. Willie Okoli, Nigeria and Anambra State have surfeited a lot from democratic rule including quality road networks linking all parts of the state and the ongoing three fly over bridges in Awka, among others.
Mr . Okoli enjoined those in position of authority to place the welfare of the masses above every other consideration and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take more proactive measures to tackle the increment rate of poverty and hunger in the country.