Democracy is not an audience sport, Uzodimma tells Nigerian youth

The Governor of the State of the IMO and the Chairperson of the Progressive Governor Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has asked Nigerian youth in the country to embrace active political involvement and reject the role of passive observers in shaping the future of the country.

Speaking of June 12 Democratic Day lectures in Abuja on Thursday, Uzodimma reminded Nigerian young people that democracy was not only built based on laws or institutions, but on continuous participation of citizens who voted, speaking, and requested the leaders accountable.

“Nigerian young people must see themselves as part of this system. They must see themselves as participants, not just the audience,” he said. “You inherited the rights obtained in 1993. You must also inherit the accompanying responsibilities.”

He stressed that there is no constitution or a political system, no matter how well it is made well, can uphold him without the will and integrity of the people who operate it. “Change comes from active participation, not compliance,” he said. “There is also a matter of political will. That is what sustains democracy.”

Reflecting on the importance of June 12, the date engraved in Nigeria’s democratic journey for his relationship with the 1993 presidential election and the legacy of the Head of Moshood Abiola, Uzodimma urged Nigerians not to reduce the importance of annual rituals or symbolic movements.

“June 12 is the point in our national journey when people make clear choices and the system responds with disagreement,” he said. “In recognizing June 12, the government led by APC did more than just declaring a public holiday. This corrected notes. This restoring the name of the head of MKO Abiola to a place that should be in our political and democratic history.”