By Femi Olugbemi, Lokoja.
Member representing Kabba/Bunu State Constituency and the newly reelected Speaker of the 7th Assembly of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Matthew Kolawole has congratulated Nigerians on the first officially recognized celebration of Democracy Day on the famous June 12 to celebrate the presumed winner of the 1993 June 12 Presidential Election, Chief MKO Abiola and also to reflect on the struggle for entrenching democracy in the country.
The Speaker described the APC led administration under President Muhammadu Buhari as a government that listens and shares the pains and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians by giving official recognition to June 12 that is seen as the foundation of the struggle for Democracy in the country.
This was contained in a statement he personally signed and made available to press men in Lokoja.
He said what his predecessors could not do, President Buhari has done; a proof that he is an outstanding democrat believe in the norms and principles of a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
He said 20 years of uninterrupted democracy in the country is a sign that the people of Nigeria has decided to be managing their affairs without the interference of the military, hence the need to strengthen institutions that will make democracy to flourish more in the country.
Kolawole said there is no gainsaying that the gains recorded in 20 years is far more better compared to the time the military held sway in the country, stressing that Nigerians should cooperate with and support the current administration to take the country to the next level of development.
He described Chief MKO Abiola as a man of the people and a detribalized Nigerian who everyone that come across him while alive had a pleasant story to tell.
He urged Nigerians to take a clue from the life of Chief Abiola who believe in reaching out to the common man around him without minding their tribe, religion or colour, stressing that June 12 represents peace, unity and integrity.
He said the official recognition of June 12 is a great achievement that every sensible democrat should give credit to President Muhammadu Buhari and APC led government for the laudable gesture of remembering the efforts of one of our past heroes.
He also felicitated with and congratulated the new leadership of the 9th National Assembly with Senator Ahmed Lawan and Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as Senate President and Speaker; and Senator Ovia Omo-Agege and Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Wase as the Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker respectively.
He said their emergence is a signal that the APC as a party under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is well prepared to harmonise the party for the government to run seamlessly to deliver dividends to Nigerians.
He urged the newly elected leaders to justify the confidence reposed in their ability to lead the 9th National Assembly at this time of our national life.
The Speaker also felicitated with and congratulated Governor Yahaya Bello whose role in mobilizing for the preferred candidates of the party for the leadership of the National Assembly is well noticed, stressing that God shall also grant him victory come November 16, 2019 governorship election in Kogi State.
He said considering the monumental achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello in the State and his outstanding roles in national politics since he came onboard, his reelection would be a walk over.
He said the 7th Assembly under his watch will continue to collaborate with the Executive arm and other relevant stakeholders to make laws the will promote good governance in the state.
He promised that the newly inaugurated Assembly in the State will build on the achievements recorded by the 6th Assembly.
He appealed to Kogites to continue to believe in GYB and APC as that is a sure way that will guarantee progress for the state.
