By Yusuf Abubakar.
Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant, Alhaji Abubakar Idris has advised Kogi state governor and others across the country not to see the May 29th handing over date as mere ceremony of change of baton of leadership but as a period to entrench good governance that is built on people’s confidence.
Abubakar Ibrahim made this known in his Democracy Day message released to newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday.
He congratulated Nigerians for witnessing an uninterrupted twenty years of democratic governance.
According to Abubakar Ibrahim; “even though for political exigency, Kogi and a few states will not be part of the ceremony but collective efforts should be geared towards symbolizing the ingredients of democratic process that include freedom of speech, good governance, transparency and accountability.”
He deplored the persistent encroachment of democratic institutions by the executive arm of the states, saying the case of Kogi is a pathetic story. He promised to reverse the trend to ensure more dividends of democracy, when elected as governor.
Abubakar opined that sound and robust democratic activities is built around the operationality of all arms without hindrance, adding that any of these process that is devoid of checks and balances from the legislature, as well as interpretation from the judiciary portends danger to our democratic gains.
He said the independent of the three arms of government is a corollary to socio-economic and political development of the state and any attempt to usurp others, like is obtainable in Kogi state, will not stand the test of time.
The governorship hopeful bemoans the unhealthy face-off between the judiciary and executive arms of government in the state. He noted that the unnecessary bickering has deterred the quick dispensation of justice in the state.
He urged the executive not to turn the legislative arm into a ‘rubber stamp’ agency.
He promised to return the state to a constitutionally accepted practice by allowing free and unfettered independence of the three arms of government as that signifies the beauty of democracy in a developing country.
Abubakar assured the people of the state that public accountability, transparency and hard work will be the hallmark of his administration when he becomes governor.
He sympathized with the state work force and citizens for their maturity and steadfastness in the face of denials of both their entitlements and development of the state. He reassured them of brisk redress of the situation few months into his election as Kogi governor.
He congratulated Kogites on the democracy day, urging them to pray for leaders with conscience and human face so as to attract more dividends of democracy.
