ATIKU WILL MAKE DEMOCRACY WORK IN NIGERIA

ATIKU WILL MAKE DEMOCRACY WORK IN NIGERIA

BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND GLOBAL COORDINATOR OF WOMEN AND YOUTHS SUPPORT GROUP FOR “ATIKU 2019”, (WAYS 4 ATIKU 2019); PRINCESS ADEKEMI ADESANYA-EBODA, AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF ABUJA CHAPTER OF WAYS, IN ABUJA ON 26 AUGUST 2018

Protocols...

It is indeed a great privilege to be here in Abuja on this auspicious occasion of the formal launch of Abuja WAYS chapter.

I am particularly delighted and humbled to stand here to address you as National President and Global Co-ordinator of WOMEN AND YOUTHS SUPPORT GROUP FOR ‘ATIKU 2019’ (WAYS).

It is also gratifying to note that what began as a support group movement in Lagos for the ATIKU 2019 presidency has indeed blossomed into one of the biggest support groups in Nigera, with chapters in almost all the 36 states of the Federation plus the Federal Capital Territory.

It is even more noticeable as we gather here today to make history in the city of Abuja as WAYS (Abuja chapter) formally comes on stream for His Excellency Atiku Abubakar's laudable presidential dream.

This, obviously, is not just a fluke but by the outcome of hardwork and strategic planning by a team of dedicated men and women who through selfless sacrifices and personal conviction believe that the only Nigerian at this critical stage who has what it takes to bail this country out from its current economic and political woes is the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, GCON.

Today’s formal launch is therefore a pointer to a better tomorrow in the horizon.

It is also a way of sending a very strong message (in unmistakable terms) to everybody in this city and its environs that Atiku Presidency in 2019 has come to stay, and no longer a hidden agenda.

As we all know that the importance of democracy is not its fanciful name, but the substance of its relevance to people and societal development.

Democracy would have been like any other system of government but for the fact that it is people-centred. The uniqueness of democracy in any country is that it gives the citizenry the opportunity to participate in governance. Not just as mere electorates, but a power bloc to decide and measure good governance; through representation and desire for equity, probity and accountability.

Meanwhile, central to sustainable democracy is the rule of law and fundamental human rights. Through the judiciary, the operation of every democracy presupposes that the state is governed by the law of the land. It also guarantees that nobody is above the law. It is in this light that the (fundamental human) rights of the citizenry are ensured by the state. In the absence of this, democracy is not just more than a mere name.

Democracy, therefore, is the most popular system of government in the 21st century world, for its benefits to the state and its populace.

Both developed and underdeveloped countries embrace democracy because it brings the essence of governance to the fore. It exposes tyranny and guarantees the periodical change of government. It allows the citizenry to be the deciders of who governs them per time; they can retain a performing government or vote the non-performing one out at the poll.

Regrettably, democracy is more of just a name in the undeveloped countries like Nigeria; because the essential features of this system of government that makes its worth its salt is missing.

The situation is especially threatening in the way the business of governance is conducted presently in the country.

Even though the current APC government was voted into power in 2015 through the instrumentality of democracy, it has reneged on its positive change drive, and yielded swiftly to intolerance, tyranny and gross impunity.

Thus the foundation of democracy in Nigeria is openly under threat. As Rule of law is trampled upon. The fundamental human rights of Nigerians are no longer guaranteed. The fulcrum on which this system of government revolves is being destroyed by the present government.

The people running the government enjoyed freedom of speech and association while they were the opposition years ago, but they are shutting same door against adversaries who they perceive as enemies of state!

It is glaringly clear that the APC government is a disservice to the nation. It has plunged more Nigerians into poverty through recession. It has reversed the progress made in the sixteen years of PDP. The result coming out of this government proves the fact that “you cannot give what you don’t have”. Mr. President's private business has not been progressive; and on this note, I present to you His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, Waziri Adamawa, the man that will make the Nigeria enterprise work again.

Atiku Abubakar is not only running chains of successful businesses, but also has a history of being a true democrat and defender of constitutionalism.

Atiku is, arguably, among the topmost employers of labour in the country outside of apart government circle.

He successfully worked for Nigeria as the Vice-President from 1999 to 2007 without rocking the boat of the country. His emulative antecedents speaks volumes.

Atiku, the bridge-building leader, attracts the follower-ship of the majority of Nigerians because of his people-oriented stewardship.

He is a beacon of hope for the masses. The rate at which the support base for his 2019 presidential ambition is growing attests to the love for this phenomenal persona.

Hopefully, his emergence as the President of Nigeria in 2019, after the current docile, reactionary government, would be the icing on the cake of most Nigerian voters.

He has what it takes to lead. He has demonstrated unmatchable leadership quality in every facet of life.

He is a successful businessman who has put smiles on the faces of many people, locally and globally.

Atiku's investment in the educational sector has resulted in providing quality education to Nigerians at various levels. Majority of ordinary Nigeria are emotionally attached to any cause that Atiku Abubakar is involved because they know that they are at the centre of any decision he makes.

He adheres strictly to national interest ahead of personal interest, and a stickler to the unity and development in an equitable and just nation.

This zeal to lift ordinary Nigerians out of poverty made him champion the privatisation and liberalisation programmes whilst in government. These fruits are now ripe in telecommunication and banking sectors till today.

As a defender of democracy, rule of law and the Constitution of the land; Àtiku opposed his erstwhile boss' obnoxious third term agenda, which sought tenure elongation for former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The man Atiku Abubakar is not only popular with the masses; he is also loved by the elite. His acceptance among the various groups of elites; politicians, the ruling class, the academia and the industrialists, as he canvasses for support throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria, is no doubt an attestation to the fact that he is ‘so tun sosi ma ba bikan je’ (literally, the bridge builder among people).

His immense generosity, kind-hearted philanthropy and caring character also constitute a pool of affection for this zero-to-hero one-time orphan and shepherd boy.

It is incontrovertible that Atiku is a detribalised man. He is at home everywhere he goes in the country. He is a full fledged Nigerian with loving interest in all the parts of Nigeria.

He's related to the East by marriage, same as the west, north by birth and marriage, and businesses in the South-south..

Today’s formal launch of WAYS in Abuja, therefore, is a unique platform to chart and pathfind a suitable way for the Man with the Midas' Touch to serve, unite, secure and develop Nigeria. Come 2019, Atiku would make a better tenant of Aso Villa than any pretender. For he's the only contender with good intentions, goals and articulated plans and objectives.

Therefore, I implore the PDP to join hands together and make Atiku Abubakar its flagbearer in the forthcoming primary election. Nigerians should also vote for him massively in the forthcoming election in 2019. Let's concertedly demonstrate positive Democracy in Africa for the world to admire.

Atiku is Tested and Trusted, he is the man for the job; the man that can turn around the fortunes of this country.

Atiku is saying to you and I as the meaning of his name that:

A - As you give me your mandate,
T - To restructure Nigeria,
I - In spite of any challenges;
K - Keeping Nigeria safe, in
U - Unity, Uprightness, and Uniformity, shall be my utmost goal...

SO HELP ME GOD!!!

I therefore have no doubt in my mind that history has indeed been made today with the formal launch of Abuja WAYS chapter.

It is our hope that, as we look forward to the 2019 elections, WAYS will be a formidable force to reckon with; and it will contribute most significantly to the process of addressing the challenges and identify opportunities for constructive, creative and positive engagement with all the stakeholders in our beloved country.

Finally, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I will like to thank every member of WAYS in Abuja, the state executive members and the state co-ordinator for their selflessness and unalloyed loyalty.

I hereby formally congratulate them for this epoch making event. Your collective efforts will not be in vain, and by God’s special grace we shall all be celebrating next year in Aso Rock with our Principal.

Thank you for listening and stay blessed all.

Esteemed regards,

Princess Adekemi Adesanya-Eboda

National President/Global Coordinator (WAYS)