Former President of the Senate, David Mark, has called on Nigerians not to despair in the face of the daunting economic and socio-political challenges but to remain steadfast.
This was contained in a goodwill message sent by Mark on Saturday in Abuja to mark the country’s Democracy Day.
A statement signed by Paul Mumeh, the Media Assistant to Mark, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, quoted the former Senate president as saying that it was by deliberate choice that Nigeria chose the presidential system of government.
Mark said the nation chose presidential democracy because it was representative and participatory.
He said the 2016 Democracy Day was a very unique one.
He said: “It is unique because it is the first time in the last 17 years of uninterrupted civilian administration that an opposition political party is in charge.”
In spite of the criticism, Mark noted that the solid foundation the Peoples Democratic Party administration put in place for 16 years, guaranteed the congenial atmosphere that enabled an opposition party to win elections.
He said: “The PDP provided the enabling environment for democracy to thrive. It never hindered or prevented opposition parties from operating. Everyone had access and the political space was free for all.”
Mark urged governments at all levels to initiate policies and programmes that were in consonance with the wishes and aspirations of the people.
Mark said any programme or policy that tended to bring misery on the citizenry could not be adjudged a good package.
He called for an egalitarian society where every citizen, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic leaning, would be free to pursue his or her legitimate ambition.
NAN.
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