Ahead of the democracy day celebration on the 12th of June, 2024, Owerri West Traditional Prime Minister, High Chief Dr. Kelechukwu Okere has berated the state of the economy, stating that democracy day is not worth observing or celebrating.
Recall that, Nigeria always mark democracy day on the 29th of May but was moved to June 12 to commemorate the democratic election of Moshood Abiola and remind Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner along with Nigerians were denied their rights and choice.
In an interview session recently, it baffled the Nigerian born, American trained doctor, how the country should be thinking of celebrating democracy day.
He queried how many politicians come to power through democratic means of electoral process? How many lives were lost and how a clean land became polluted with blood of innocent Nigerians? According to him, this goes contrary to the reason the date was shifted to June 12th considering what happened during the last elections.
Dr. Okere bemoaned the state of economy, adding that, people are literarily dying of hunger over the high cost of commodities and families can barely get by.
He pointed out that millions of Nigerians still live below minimum wage, which is barely 20 dollars a month, not until recently the labour union protested for an increase in minimum wage, yet politicians feed fat at the expense of the poor masses they are expected protect and carter to, by implementing policies that eases the burden on citizens.
Recounting further, he stated that, south Easterners are marginalized and in a state of agitation, yet the leaders cannot have a round table conversation to allay their fears and agitation.
The Owerri West Traditional Prime Minister, maintained that democracy that fail to listen to people is a failed democracy and called on all, to spend the day seeking repentance from God, emphasizing that we have presented an ugly and fragmented picture of democracy.
He however called on Nigeria leaders to rather use the day to reflect on their failures and make amendments.
