From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reminded Nigerians that the country’s broken past and a promising future from the current administration will not come without a price.
He admitted that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is aware of the difficulties Nigerians are facing, assuring that it will listen and adjust where necessary, and account for its stewardship in all manners.
Shettima was represented by Hakeem Baba Ahmed at a National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held in Abuja on Monday under the theme: Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathways to Good Governance and Political Integrity.
In attendance at the event were Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former governors comprising Victor Ubong Attah, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Emeka Ihedioha, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Waziri Tambuwal, past ministers like Bolaji Abdullahi, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, past senators like Ben Obi, Abiodun Olujimi, among many other dignitaries.
The former governor of Borno State, however, assured that the Tinubu-led administration will “continue to provide evidence of the values of the democratic systems, especially in fixing major weaknesses of the economy, securing communities, fighting corruption, supporting free and fair elections, strengthening the independence of the judiciary, and improving national cohesion.”
“Nigerian democracy must mean a lot more than asking Nigerians to line up every four years to elect leaders. It must mean, in practical terms, that leaders commit to the demands of elected leadership in very transparent manners, that mandates given to them to govern make them servants to the interests of the people, custodians of their assets, and protectors of their interests.
“The best leaders are people who exercise power only to promote the interests of their people. The challenge for leaders in democratic systems is to lead with the vision which identifies a path and destination that ultimately benefits the citizens, even where some have legitimate reservations, or have issues with them.”
“I would like to assure Nigerians that our administration is acutely aware of many concerns over our direction and goals, particularly given the difficulties which some of our policies inevitably generate.
“We are involved in correcting many defects in our economy and approaches to securing the citizens. We have been honest to admit that this transition from a broken past and a promising future will not be without a price, and we will remain focused on easing the pain and ensuring that we do not take our eyes off the goals.
“We will listen and adjust where necessary, and we will account for our stewardship in all manners our challenging democratic system demands. I am convinced that we will reap the benefits of our current, unavoidable difficulties.
“I am convinced that Nigeria shall rise again, answer to its full potential, and lead the way to a future that will have learned lessons from a difficult past into a world in which our country will be a key player, and our youth will be active champions of a democratic system because it speaks to them,” Shettima noted.