Democracy Day: Let's Keep Hope Alive, Atiku Abubakar Urges Nigerians

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress Atiku Abubakar says democracy, despite its limitations and challenges, remains the best form of government anywhere in the world.
In his message to mark Nigeria's Democracy Day, the former Vice President explains that the freedom of choice is one of the most important ingredients of the democratic system.


According to him, the freedom to choose your leaders makes democracy fashionable, adding that any system that subverts the will of the people destroys the progress of the society.
The Turaki Adamawa says as an active participant in the democratic struggle in Nigeria and an ardent proponent of the rule of law, rather than the rule of man, he recognises the sacrifices of gallant Nigerians whose struggles brought us to the current stage.

According to him, as Nigerians celebrate democracy day, the memory of late Shehu Yar'Adua and MKO Abiola would resonate across the country, adding that the sacrifices of countless others who paid the supreme price for opposing dictatorship would also not be forgotten.
The former Vice President says no sane society would choose despotism over democracy because, under dictatorship, dissent is met with death or torture.

 On the current challenges facing the ordinary Nigerians, the former Vice President says no democratically elected government would intentionally hurt the voters that put it into office.
He explains that the APC administration remains committed to the welfare of Nigerians, and that the current challenges are temporary.

According to him, the 2016 budget is specifically targeted to address the basic needs of the ordinary Nigerians, explaining that the implementation of the budget would bring succour to Nigerians.
He therefore urges Nigerians not to lose hope because of the current temporary challenges that they are going through.

LUTH Doctor Hacked To Death In Ogun State Shortly After Being Kidnapped

Dr Thomas Adekoya-Cole was gruesomely murdered this morning in his hometown near Itele, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State shortly after he was abducted from his home.

The 60-year-old consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who until his death worked with Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, was said to have been killed by suspected sympathisers of a native doctor.

According to PM News, the native doctor was reported to have been killed by ‘area boys’ in Ijebu Ode, Saturday night during a ceremony. Sympathisers of the native doctor then arrived at the doctor's home later that night and abducted him.

He was later found with machete wounds and rushed to Amazing Grace Hospital in Ijebu-Ode where he passed away despite attempt to save him.

Source: PM News

Borno Residents Commend President Buhari’s Political Will To End Boko Haram

Some residents of Borno on Sunday expressed their satisfaction over President Muhammadu Buhari‘s ample political will to end all forms of arms insurgency in the country.

A cross section of the residents who listened to the President’s Democracy Day nationwide broadcast, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that they have noticed improvement in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

Muhammad Babagana, a resident, said indeed one year of Buhari’s government has recorded remarkable improvement in security and fight against corruption.

“The President has also performed well in a bid to regaining our national image in the eyes of the world. Yes, the ordinary Nigerian is yet to notice true change as promised by the government, but this was born out of the massive looting and corruption by the former administration. But even at that this government should focus on polices that would cure hardship and suffering of ordinary Nigerians with immediate effect,’’ said Babagana.

Another resident, Mr Asiwaju Abiodun, said “More grease to the elbow of Mr President, though the economic hardship is alarming and the patriotic and intellectual Nigerians understand the numerous factors that caused it. Yet we are ready to endure, work and pray along with you to reposition our great country into a better nation. Be as it may, in God we trust.”

Bunu Grema, said: “Well, a year is now gone and the clock reset. I would want to assume that the PMB-led APC government have laid a foundation that best fits their goals and mandate and that in the next several months we shall see uncanny fruits of achievements.”

However, Aruwa Isa, said: “I concur with His Excellency’s position and views, and would also make bold to say it takes doggedness and determination to get things right for one to rightly move the state ship forward from the wreck it was left for in May 2015. I can categorically tell you that we now sleep with eyes closed, unlike what we experienced some few years back. If you remember vividly there was a time in this country when we could not go to our churches, mosques, plazas, viewing centres, and we were constantly warned of going to crowded places, yes it was that bad. Our soldiers were been killed and slaughtered like chicken on a daily basis in the hands of Boko Haram, No thanks to GEJ and Dasuki who diverted monies budgeted for arms. Now Nigeria may not have turned to safe haven under Buhari, but we can now have a sigh of relief as our gallant security agencies are now rejuvenated and ready to take on any group or individual that will want to disrupt our collective peace in the country.