Cleric, Lawmaker Differ On Democracy Dividends

The Primate, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh says the Democracy Day is worth observing as a public holiday but not to be celebrated because it is not being practiced the way it should be.

“We lost a lot of people during the military rule and since democracy came to be, we have not experienced any form of coup or destruction as it was in the military era”, he stressed.

The Primate noted that the country has a long way to go when compared to India, the United States of America, United Kingdom and other developed nations but expressed the hope that “we will get to somewhere if we continue”.

He called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to allow anyone to cease power from him while reflecting the fear of God in his rulership, cautioning that he should be critical of the people around him.

However, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ike  Chinwo representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, says no other government is comparable with a democratic one since it provides opportunity for people to freely air their views without molestation.

In an interview with The Tide, Chinwo noted that Nigeria has achieved a lot from the present democratic government such as the issue of the Niger Delta and the NDDC just as it offered the Niger Delta the opportunity to having a president from the region.

Commending Nigerians for the way and manner they approached the issue of transmitting power to Goodluck Jonathan, Hon. Chinwo noted that Nigeria will have a credible election come 2011 if Nigerians should have a change of attitude at the polls.

Shedie Okpara