Friday 30 May 2014
Bayelsa speaker urges political leaders to imbibe democratic values
AS Nigeria celebrates 15 years of uninterrupted
democratic government, Speaker of Bayelsa
State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable
Konbowei Benson Friday, has called on all
stakeholders, particularly the political class,
civil society, the clergy and traditional rulers to
protect the constitutional values of our
democracy.
Rt. Honourable Friday, who reiterated the
need for caution on the part of the political
class in making unguided utterances on the
current security situation in parts of the country,
advised politicians to rather engage in activities
that would uphold rule of law and democratic
values, calling on the opposition to strike a
balance between conflicting values of national
security and individual rights.
According to the Speaker, the ultimate goal of
democracy was to preserve and promote the
dignity and fundamental rights of the
individual, with a view to fostering social
justice, economic and social development.
The Speaker, who lauded President Goodluck
Jonathan, Vice President Mohammed Namadi
Sambo, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson and
his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John
Jonah, on the occasion of this year’s Democracy
Day, maintained that the people of Bayelsa
State had cause to celebrate democracy day
because of the unprecedented infrastructural
development the state was witnessing under the
restorationadministration, pointing out that at
no time in the history of the state, had the
people seen this volume development across
the length and breadth of the state.
He regretted the present insecurity challenges
in the country, which range from terrorism,
sectarian violence and weakened rights for
women and children, he noted that it is the
sacred duty of all well-meaning Nigerians to
uphold the values of rule of law, respect for
human dignity, tolerance and compassion for
one another.
He added that in a democracy, human rights are
promoted and protected, such that that no
matter once’s race, gender, personal belief or
style of life, every citizen can participate in
formulating the laws and policies to which they
are subjected to.
Rt. Hon. Benson Friday also disclosed that
under his leadership, the fourth Bayelsa State
House of Assembly has passed a minimum of 41
people-oriented bills, assuring that the House
will continue to uphold global best practice in
scrutinizing the performance of government
ministries and departments through over
sighting their activities.
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