REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
As Nigeria marks this year’s democracy day, some residents of Anambra state say democracy remains the best form of government despite the challenges confronting Nigerians.
According to them, Anambra State has witnessed huge development in all sectors and spheres of human endeavour since 1999 when the Nigeria returned to democratic governance after some years of military rule.
The return to civilian rule by Nigeria in 1999 ushered in elected governance after some years of military interruptions.
Respondents in Anambra state said appreciable progress has been made by democratic government in Nigeria but not without some challenges and sacrifices by the citizens.
A political affairs Analyst, Mr Ebuka Onyekwelu said it is a democratic structural impediment that the state has managed to conduct only two local government elections since 1999, one by former Governor Peter Obi in 2013 and another in 2022 by the incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Mr Onyekwelu argued that democracy should be more practical than theoretical and observed that despite pockets of insecurity, the present administration in Anambra state has done well in the provision of basic infrastructure.
A lawyer from Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area, Mr Emmanuel Emune noted that one of the greatest challenges confronting democracy in Nigeria is the conduct of free and fair elections.
He suggested massive citizenship education as a solution to the problem as well as other social issues hampering the democratic progress and unity of the country.
Another respondent from Awka , Prince Paul Okolie observed that citizens of Anambra State have experienced improvement in social road infrastructure since the return of democratic rule in 1999 but said that there is need for more energy by the government to tackle the security challenges confronting the people.
For his part, Comrade Chika Nwosu, called for deliberate plan by the government and the private sector to address the basic needs of the citizens like medical services, shelter and food.
Other respondents expressed the hope that the years ahead will bear better dividends of democracy for the citizens of Anambra State in all spheres.
