By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Democratic Front (TDF) says the group is ecstatic about the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a new edifice for the official headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
According to TDF, the significance of this magnanimous decision by the president can be appreciated within the context of the intermittent history of democracy and military dictatorship in Nigeria.
TDF, in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo said it believes that the vulnerability of democracy in Nigeria was predicated upon the symbolic weakness of democratic institutions, and the slow or non-assimilation of core democratic ethics and practices in the country.
“Therefore, the bold steps by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to walk his talk on the promise to institutionalise democratic values in Nigeria should be appreciated and commended,” the group said.
“We must admit that despite being a major victim of military dictatorship and a consistent target of the mischief of anti-democratic forces in the country, President Bola Tinubu has remained at the forefront of democratic struggles and development.
“Only recently, the President honoured notable individuals who made sacrifices for the return of democracy to Nigeria with deserving national awards. In doing so, he graciously and selflessly exempted himself from the list of beneficiaries as a bona fide contributor to the success and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
“The commencement of construction of a new building for the electoral umpire will significantly enhance the operational capacity, administrative functionality and constitutional independence of INEC, as the nation’s election management body, coupled with the fact that it will consolidate the fragile institutions of democracy, and also preserve national democratic values and heritage.
“We have equally observed that INEC under the Tinubu administration has received priority in terms of funding and technical support in the last two years. The Independent National Electoral Commission has conducted governorship elections in Edo, Imo, and Ondo states without interference from the Tinubu administration. This indicates that the constitutional independence of the electoral body is not compromised under the president’s watch.
“It is on this strong foundation of enormous respect for democratic institutions and the political will to promote and defend democratic ideals by the Tinubu administration that we confidently anticipate a truly free, fair, and credible general election in 2027,” the statement added.
TDF, therefore, called on the generality of the Nigerian public to remain supportive of the policies of the Tinubu administration, adding, “the green shoots from the ongoing economic reforms are clear signs of a prosperous future for Nigeria.”
