Date: 2017-05-29

Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad has stated that efforts and sacrifices put in place to achieve Nigeria's nascent democracy must be protected by every stakeholder in order to ensure its sustenance.

This, Ahmad said, would undoubtedly demonstrate to the developed countries that the Nigeria has come of age and learnt a lot from many years of military dictatorship.

The Speaker who said this in his congratulatory message, issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir, to mark Nigeria's Democracy Day on Monday, congratulated Nigerians for the feat recorded so far in democratic governance.

Ahmad said further that in spite of several challenges the country has faced in recent years, experiences garnered have assisted tremendously in achieving 18 years of political stability.

The Speaker challenged both Federal and State Governments to attend to wishes of citizens in the country by ensuring that dividends of democracy spread to the nooks and crannies.

According to him, "Nigerians are craving for more in terms of development and deserve nothing but the best. Government must work assiduously to satisfy the yearnings. Fortunately for us we still have our democracy intact, therefore together we must do everything not to return to the military rule era".

He, however lauded those who paid the ultimate prize while struggling to restore Nigeria's democracy, noting that history would never forget them and their sacrifices.

Ahmad also commended Nigerians for their understanding and continued support for democracy, stressing that the worst democracy in every sense could not be quantified with military rule.

The speaker enjoined Nigerians to continue supporting President Mohammadu Buhari's administration in its efforts to build a peaceful and enduring democratic legacy in the country.