Democracy Day: Igbo Muslims celebrate with Buhari, Obiano, other Southeast governors

*Blames challenges on politicians not with Buhari on development

“Although there are critics who are not in line with his development drives, we support his vision and mission for Nigeria.  All sectors of the economy are receiving attention and becoming active. The government is working.”

The group observed that democracy has affected Nigeria and her citizenry positively, except for its manipulation by the politicians as the cases are all over Africa.

The South East Muslims of Nigeria (SEMON) has congratulated the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, over what it calls his purposeful leadership as he leads the nation into the third celebrations of Democracy Day by his administration.

The group also felicitates with governors of the South East states for the same purpose.

Although he said the economy is yet to be fully stabilised for the overall benefit of the citizens while the nation still faces staggered security challenges, SEMON acknowledged that there have been improvements in business of governance three years after President Buhari took over the leadership of the country.

“What has been achieved by the federal and many state governments in the last three years are worthy of remembrance in order to inspire the leaderships to be steadfast and do more.

“It will also spur the citizens to ensure purposeful followership and continually pray for their leaders at all federal and state levels, including the ward and local governments, as well as the judiciary and the lawmakers.”

These were observations made by the South Eastern Muslims of Nigeria (SEMON) in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Muhammad Obiahu Ajah Jr. and Abdurrahman Nwabueze Urama respectively in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Monday.

SEMON recalled that Democracy Day is being celebrated to mark the return of Nigeria to democratic governance after decades of military administrations which, to a large extent he said, ruined the fortunes and image of the country.

The group observed that democracy has affected Nigeria and her citizenry positively, except for its manipulation by the politicians as the cases are all over Africa.

It said further that democracy has guaranteed the freedom of Nigerian citizens in all aspects of endeavour as they can freely associate and speak out against any government policies perceived not to be in the interest of the people.

The group lauded the achievements of President Buhari and the governors of the Southeast even as he expressed the enthusiasm of its members to join hands with other citizens to contribute their quota in building economically vibrant and socio-culturally befitting society that are the dream of every people-oriented leadership.

SEMON specifically noted that achievements of government in both human capacity building of Nigerians and the infrastructures, three years of Buhari administration, are today a clear departure from the past, positively.

“The 2018 Democracy Day is quite different because a lot of things have happened that require reflection and rededication of energy by our leaders for a greater Nigeria.

“We rejoice with President Buhari for a purposeful leadership in the last three years, though it has not been easy for him. He is a man who has given out his entire life to rebuild Nigeria and make its economy vibrant and viable.

“Although there are critics who are not in line with his development drives, we support his vision and mission for Nigeria.

“The gradual revolution in the agricultural sector, the massive infrastructural developments in terms of roads, bridges, airports, seaports, trains and massive employment and empowerment of the citizenry especially through the N-Power programme, to mention but a few, are worthy of commendation.

“All sectors of the economy are receiving attention and becoming active. The government is working.”

“We are also celebrating our governors who, despite the paucity of funds as compared to the volume of infrastructural demands, have exerted some levels of frugality in achieving the lot they have in our state developments.

“All of them, Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, have tried their best. We urge them to do more. We are proud that some of them are exporting our agricultural products, enhancing local material production and ensuring harmonious coexistent, peace and general progress of our states.”

“We will continue to pray for our nation and states in our meetings and we hope that both President Buhari and our state Governors will intensify efforts to guarantee equity, fairness and justice for all citizens of Nigeria, as these abstracts are the actual ingredients of a functional democracy. This appeal becomes essentially of interest due to the uniqueness in this year’s celebration. Happy Democracy Day to all fellow citizens!”