The PDP Integrity Vanguard has said President Goodluck Jonathan has stabilized democracy in Nigeria.The group in a statement on Wednesday said “One of the hallmarks of democracy is citizens’ participation. It is about providing opportunity for men, women and the youths to participate in democratic processes including making decisions on matters that affect them. An administration is said to be democratic to the extent it espouses and institutionalizes democratic values. The Goodluck Administration has provided this ambiance. In the past years, the administration took practical steps to open the space for citizens to participate in national discuss and national development.
Enumerating what it believes are Jonathan’s landmark achievements, the group said “First, he signed into law the Freedom of Information Bill, which has become the platform for a robust public participation on national issues. The Act empowers citizens to ask questions from government and to hold government officials accountable for their conduct.
“Second, the administration has fostered an uncommon Freedom to the Press even as citizens’ now express themselves freely. Today, the media and individuals can publish whatever they like today without of arrests, intimidation, or proscription. The Jonathan administration has provided a fertile ground for citizens’ participation in the democratic process. Citizens now have the unfettered liberty to express their views on diverse national issues without fear of arrest or harassment from security agencies. And wherever citizens have the liberty to express themselves, they are able to harness their creativity to contribute to national development. This is democracy in action.
“Thirdly, the administration is the first administration to publish its mid-term performance review, inviting Nigerians everywhere to ask questions and verify issues for themselves concerning government development projects and policies. This is public accountability and probity. This is a deliberate effort to deepen democracy; and the Jonathan administration has opened the gates for you to come in and be part of the development processes.
“Fourthly, the Electoral Process has been democratic has been liberalized. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been given free hand to operate and to serve Nigerians, and not the interest of the ruling Government. The Administration has emphasized the principle of One-person, one vote. Around the country, people are now asking for their Voter’s Card because they now believe their votes can count in elections. We may not have arrived where we ought to be, but the reality is the administration has succeeded in restoring the confidence Nigerians to power of theirs Votes. This is major achievement which we cannot take for granted. Democracy is taking a human face under the leadership of President Jonathan.
According to PDP Integrity Vanguard,”Democracy is nothing without tolerance for divergent views. The administration has been most criticized and maligned, yet it has maintained a tolerant posture, allowing citizen to criticize government policies and programmes, thereby helping all us to deepen the democratic culture.
“The convocation of the National Conference is the high point of the Jonathan’s Administration. It came at an auspicious time when the country celebrated her post-amalgamation centenary. The Conference provided the opportunity for Nigerians to think together, talk, argue and agree on the basis for continuing relationship based on mutual trust and respect. More importantly, it was an opportunity to harvest views and ideas from Nigerians an egalitarian society under a democracy. The outcome is far-reaching and is waiting for implementation; and who else can do better than the one who initiated it.
“These are some of the intangible benefits of democracy, which the Jonathan administration has given to Nigerians. Specifically these intangibles include the respect for human rights; the freedom to think and talk; the freedom and access to information; the liberty to be creative and generate personal wealth; the expansion of opportunity for citizens to participate in development process through civic activism, and the freedom to choose who governs you and to hold such public officer to account. The Jonathan’s administration has done well in making these happen. Furthermore, the administration has focused on providing policy frameworks and building institutional capacities that can guarantee sustainable development. These are transformational. And we want them to continue, and not aborted.
“Relying on Gabriel Almond and Bingham Powell structural-functional approach to political system’s development, the Jonathan administration recognizes the key role of interest groups, political parties and branches of government in sustaining democracy. He has allowed each and all of these to flourish independently. Political socialization is growing in Nigeria through the inculcation of civic virtues and habits of effective citizenship. Public interest in democratic processes is on the rise through constructive engagements and participation from citizens. This is the essence of democracy. And it is only a democratically minded leader that can sustain this trend. Goodluck Jonathan is poised to institutionalize democracy in Nigeria. Let’s vote for the sustenance of democratic culture in Nigeria so that everyone can have the ambiance to participate in governance and contribute their creativity to national development.
“Has President Jonathan stabilized democracy in Nigeria? We think so. We want you to validate this with your vote for PDP on February 14, 2015. Together we consolidate democratic values and open the space for everyone to develop their creative energies”,the group said.
