Democracy Day: Lawyers Task Nigerians On Adherence To Rule Of Law

Some Lawyers in Lagos have urged Nigerians to adhere to the rule of law and constituted authorities to promote and sustain the nation’s democracy.

The lawyers told the Newsmen that democracy, which was largely a product of a civil system, could only be sustained if both the government and the governed worked together in unity.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Federal Government declared June 12 as a date to commemorate the country’s Democracy Day Celebration.

Consequently, in his Democracy Day message, Mr Olumide Akpata, immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), said democracy only thrived when the rule of law is respected.

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In a statement issued recently, he said; “This is a day set aside to commemorate our beloved country’s return to democratic rule and today’s occasion marks 21 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, the longest ever in our history.

“Democracy only thrives when the rule of law is respected; While governments at all levels have a duty to ensure the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. It is our collective duty as a Bar and indeed Nigerians to speak out in instances where our democracy is undermined.”

He urged Nigerians to eschew all acts and conducts capable of undermining the nation’s democracy.

“Nigerian lawyers must play active roles in sustaining the hard-won democracy. The labours of our heroes past and democracy martyrs like Chief M. K. O. Abiola, should not end up in vain,” he said

In his message, another member of the NBA, Mr Nnamdi Anagor, said that Africa in general and Nigeria in particular, must strive to develop a form of democracy that tallied with its culture, customs, practice and tradition.

“Continuous sustenance of the key virtues and elements of democracy remains a strong panacea for sustainable development in our dear country.

“We must all as a country and people, jointly work to ensure that our nascent democracy survives and meets our needs and lawyers must note that they have a special role in sustaining and improving the tenets of democracy,” he said.

Also, Mr Adedotun Adetunji, a former Chairman of the Ikorodu Branch of the NBA, urged Nigerians to reflect on the principles of democracy.

“As we celebrate today, I urge us to take some time to reflect on the journey so far, while celebrating the strides that we have achieved.

“Most importantly, today gives us the opportunity to renew our commitment to become a better democratic and egalitarian society where the rule of law is upheld without fear or favour.

“It is a testimony to our resilience as a people that in spite of the many challenges that have held us back, including the contemporary threats posed by the novel Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), we have continued on the slow but steady march toward great nationhood,” Adetunji said

According to him, democracy is about the protection of civil rights, liberties and justice, saying that Nigerians must awaken their consciousness on the need to foster a progressive nation.

By Segun Mukadam