Nigerians in South Africa mark democracy day

Johannesburg – Nigerians in South Africa on Sunday joined other Nigerians in marking the country’s Democracy Day and the beginning of a fresh term for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan took the oath of office on Sunday to begin a four-year term of office.

In an interview , Mr Ken Ayere, President of Nigerians in the Diaspora, South Africa chapter, stressed the need for Jonathan to deliver on its promises to the electorate.

“The president should ensure uninterrupted power supply because with steady power supply, the nation’s economy would be transformed,’’ he said.

Ayere said Nigeria’s democracy must move to a level “where people are the central focus and the basic needs of life are made available to them’’.

“As we celebrate, we are still dealing with bad roads, poor infrastructure, lack of portable water and the like.

“There is need to ensure that the people are provided the dividends of democracy,’’ he said.

“We should ensure that democracy works because many Nigerians in the Diaspora are willing to come back home to invest in the development of their country,” he added.

In his contribution, Prof. Kole Omotosho, Director, Africa Diaspora Network, told NAN that democracy was worth celebrating in the country “as it remains the best form of government’’.

He, however, said that political officer holders should be more accountable to the people.

Omotosho said Nigerians should demand and insist on accountability from their leaders, pointing out that this would enable them to benefit from the   dividends of democracy.

“For too long in Nigeria, there have been this attitude of leave them alone, if you are there you can’t do better, but we should move beyond this,” he said.

“We must let our leaders know that whoever is at the tap must open it and let the water flow to all irrespective of who they are,” Omotosho said.

Also commenting, Mr Adedapo Adesanmi, President, Nigerian Association of Yoruba Descendants in South Africa (NAYDSA), said that for once, Nigerians had cause to celebrate.

“The last elections, which brought new leaders to power, have been widely acclaimed to be free and fair and have given a leap to Nigeria’s democracy; I believe we have a reason to celebrate.

“We can see the problems in a place like Cote d’Ivoire and some other countries which are fall-out of elections, and we can look back at ours and say we are on the right track,” he said.

Adesanmi, however, urged all elected officials to ensure that they delivered on their promises to the electorate.

“Beyond the celebration, it is time for those elected to ensure that the dreams of the electorate which made them to vote for the people of their choice are not dashed,” he said.

Adesanmi said Nigerians had shown through the ballot, that they wanted change in the way they were being governed, and urged the elected officials not to disappoint them.

He called for prayers for Jonathan, saying that the fact that he delivered on his promise to ensure free and fair elections meant that he had more good things in store for the people.

Adesanmi, however, urged the president to appoint people who shared his vision to political offices. (NAN)