Nigeria Marks Democracy Day Without A Ceremony
Posted on Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 at 11:16AM
By Adeola Adekoya
For the first time in 12 years, May 29 would not be marked with the usual fanfare.
The Federal Government has cancelled the 2012 Democracy Day ceremony
which would have held in Abuja today to celebrate Nigeria’s return to a
democratic government. Since 2000, Nigeria has marked the
National Democracy Day in commemoration of the return of civil rule in 1999.
However this year, President
Goodluck Jonathan will make a national broadcast at 8 o’clock this morning to mark the anniversary. There will be no pomp celebration.
A statement by the presidential spokesman,
Reuben Abati,
on Monday said the Jonathan broadcast would be aired live from the
President’s office. The President’s speeches in the past have been
widely said to have been pre-recorded.
This comes as a relief to most Nigerians who claim that millions of
naira is usually spent on such lavish ceremonies which should rather be
used for developmental projects in the country.
There was no official reason adduced for cancellation of the
Democracy Day activities but there were speculations that the
government’s decision was informed by the security situation in the
country, especially the fear of terrorists’ attack.
On October 1, 2010, two bombs exploded near the Eagle Square venue of
the 50th independence anniversary celebrations, killing many and
injuring several others.
Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, confirmed on Monday that there would
not be any Democracy Day celebration as was the case every year on
account of the “mood of the country.”
“There won’t be any celebration to mark this year’s Democracy
Day; it will simply be marked with a national broadcast by the
President. It will also involve a symposium where the challenges before
the country would be X-rayed.
“The celebration was not cancelled; It is low-key because of the mood of the country.”
This is the first time the ceremony will be shelved since its commencement 12 years ago.
What do you think about the Federal Government’s decision to shelve
the Democracy Day celebrations? Is it a good move? What do you think are
the reasons for this decision?
Please share your thoughts.
News Source: Punch
Tags:
Goodluck Jonathan, National Democracy Day, Reuben Abati
