A senior lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Nasarawa State University, Lafiya, Prof Anthony Igyuve, has asked Nigerians to have faith with the nation’s democracy, saying it is the best form of government.
The university teacher, who spoke as a guest speaker at a lecture series organised by a non-governmental organisation, Peace for Free in Nigeria which was held in Kaduna on Saturday, insisted that there was no substitute for democracy in the country.
According to him, the worst form of democracy is better than the best form of military rule while urging Nigerians “to continue to have faith in democracy.”
He noted that the uniqueness of the 2023 general elections was the youth’s active participation to vote for their preferred candidates, noting however, that the youth must give peace a chance to allow their preferred candidates to govern well.
The university teacher also reminded the youth that it would remain impossible for “those you voted for” to govern without peace.
Earlier in his welcome address, Founder of Peace For Free in Nigeria, Chris Kalu, said the lecture series with the theme:’Sustainable Peace beyond the election,’ was aimed at dousing the tension generated by the just concluded general elections across the country.
Kalu appealed to Nigerians to allow the process of democracy to grow while urging aggrieved politicians to go to court for redress instead of causing violence in the land.
He said, “We are very pleased to sincerely welcome you, our distinguished guests, to this important assembly of the people of Kaduna state on this special peace-building occasion, the first of its kind in the democratic history of this country.
“However, elections are an important part of democracy, which in itself is a process involving human and technological elements not absolutely immune from errors.
“Like all processes, democracy needs to be allowed to grow, to develop to maturity for most of the population to enjoy the promises and gains thereof.
“Recent condemnations and uncertainties in our polity, if not contained, might lead to unfortunate disruptions and truncation of our democratic process.
“It’s, therefore, our duty as law-abiding and progressive citizens to remain faithful and committed to the democratic process as it develops so the gains of democracy can be realised.”
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