Democracy Day: Uzodimma Urges Nigerians To Support Tinubu’s Reforms

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has appealed to Nigerians to sustain their faith in democracy and support President Bola Tinubu’s reforms.

Mr Uzodimma made the appeal in a statement in Owerri on Friday, by his Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day.

He described democracy as a “unifying force that has driven the country’s historic milestones.”
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“Democracy has presented us with choices that are unifying and collective, giving rise to the achievements we have recorded thus far,” he stated.

The governor explained that citizens had continued to strengthen the foundation for nation-building through active participation, constant dialogue, and a shared commitment to progress.

Acknowledging existing development gaps, he stated that Nigeria had achieved greatness by sustaining a governance system entirely driven by the people.

“Our democratic journey has consistently demonstrated our resilience, determination, and capacity for growth,” said Mr Uzodimma.

Mr Uzodimma, who is also chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, praised Mr Tinubu’s reforms, describing the president as a “steadfast democrat and a true hero of the nation’s hard-earned freedom.”

He explained that the current administration had introduced transformative sector reforms, designed to position Nigeria for growth and equal opportunities.

Governor Hope Uzodimma

He, therefore, appealed to the citizenry to support progressive ideals that promote national unity, stability, and long-term economic development.

The country returned to civilian rule on May 29, 1999, ending decades of political disruptions caused by successive military coups.

The Federal Government later moved Democracy Day to June 12 to honour the late Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
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Elections Are Rigged Because Nigerians Allow It, Says Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said elections in Nigeria are often manipulated because citizens fail to take ownership of the electoral process and protect their votes.

Obi stated this during a recent visit to Washington, D.C. in a video wchich started trending on Saturday, where he spoke on the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy and the role of citizens in ensuring credible elections.
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According to the former Anambra State governor, politicians alone cannot guarantee free and fair elections unless voters are determined to defend the sanctity of their ballots.

“Elections are rigged in Nigeria because Nigerians want it to be rigged. It’s as simple as ABC. I will do whatever is possible to protect the votes, but unless Nigerians decide that their votes will count, it will not count,” he said.

Obi urged voters to remain at their polling units after casting their ballots and monitor the counting process rather than leaving immediately after voting.

“If you vote and you stay in your polling booth and say that the votes must be counted here, it will be counted, but because our politics is transactional, the average Nigerian doesn’t know who is his problem.

“So, an average Nigerian will vote and then go home or go to night vigil, whilst his night vigil should actually be to stay and let them count his votes. But he will vote and go to night vigil on Saturday and start praying because he thinks he is the only one that God created, that God will solve all his problems,” he said.

The former governor maintained that Nigeria’s biggest challenge remains poor leadership, arguing that the country possesses abundant human and natural resources needed for development.

Peter Obi

“I can tell you that Nigeria is more blessed than this country. So, if Nigerians know that their problem is leadership, they will address it and insist on getting good leadership. So everybody should be part of protecting that vote,” he added.

Obi stressed that safeguarding the electoral process should not be left to politicians alone, noting that meaningful change would only come when citizens actively participate in defending their votes and demanding accountable leadership.

Nigerian Navy Arrests Three Suspected Pipeline Vandals In Bayelsa

The Nigerian Navy has arrested three suspects linked to the vandalism of the Oando–Ondewari pipeline in Bayelsa.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Folorunsho said that the suspects were arrested by personnel of Operation DELTA SENTINEL for allegedly vandalising the Oando-Ondewari pipeline at Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

He also said that the arrest followed a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by naval personnel in collaboration with a private pipeline surveillance outfit after reports of a deliberate breach along the pipeline corridor.
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He added that subsequent inspection confirmed that the pipeline had been vandalised, resulting in the spillage of crude oil, which posed a threat to critical national energy infrastructure.

According to him, acting on actionable intelligence, naval personnel conducted a targeted raid on a suspected hideout at Ondewari community in the early hours of June 12, leading to the arrest of three suspects.

“Preliminary investigations established the suspects involvement in the act of vandalism, while further inquiries revealed that a fourth suspect remains at large.”

Mr Folorunsho highlighted that the operation underscored the Navy’s commitment to protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure, as well as denying economic saboteurs the opportunity to undermine Nigeria’s economic interests through acts of vandalism and sabotage.

He also confirmed that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and conclude investigations.

Nigerian Navy

“On conclusion of investigation the arrested suspects will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with extant laws,” he said.

The naval spokesperson reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL to safeguard critical national assets, curb crude oil theft, and ensure the security of Nigeria’s maritime and energy sectors.