The Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, stated that commemorating June 12 and honoring the contributions of the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola along with other democracy advocates must focus on the achievements brought about by democratic rule.
In his statement commemorating this year's Democracy Day, Omo-Agege, the standard-bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election in the Delta Central Senatorial District, emphasized that merely celebrating democracy is no longer sufficient.
"The challenge lies not with democracy as an idea, but with how we've implemented it without producing the outcomes we urgently require. The real absence is the true worth of each ballot cast. Abiola did not lay down his life merely for periodic elections every four years. He struggled for a Nigeria where the voice of a farmer from Udu in Delta State could authentically transform their existence," stated Senator Omo-Agege.
Because of June 12, a young individual from Warri can now campaign for a seat on the local council, and a woman from Bayelsa can express her views on the radio without worrying about consequences. Such liberty is priceless," he said, further noting, "We possess democratic systems, yet where are the advantages? Citizens face food shortages, road conditions are poor, and crime is widespread. It’s not democracy that's at fault; the real challenge lies in practicing democracy without achieving the outcomes we urgently require.
"June 12 was clear-cut. It centered around openness. Everyone observed the vote tallying directly at the voting station. My deceased father, my uncle, my neighbor, and the party representatives — we all viewed the identical outcomes. That is why individuals were ready to defend it, even putting their lives at risk," stated the former Deputy Senate President.
He believes that Democracy Day ought to emphasize more than just turning democracy and voting into symbolic gestures.
"Currently, numerous Nigerians believe their votes are merely symbolic. You cast your ballot, the administration takes office, and afterward, they disappear for four years. The NDC seeks to alter this situation. To us, democracy can be assessed through a single straightforward query: Has the typical Nigerian’s life improved compared to four years prior? If the response is affirmative, then June 12 holds significance. If not, there remains much to accomplish," he stated.
He admitted that since 1993, INEC has taken steps to enhance the election procedure and increase its reliability.
The implementation of BVAS has greatly reduced incidents of stealing ballots, and registering voters has now become far easier. These represent real changes.
"The main lesson from June 12 for INEC is evident: credibility begins at the voting station. If this space is protected, all other aspects will follow naturally." For the year 2027, I suggest that INEC should also implement transparent vote-counting procedures. There's no urgency in moving supplies out of the polling stations. Count the ballots, declare the outcomes, put Form EC8A up on the wall, and allow the press to document it. This one action could reduce approximately 70% of public skepticism.
They must concentrate on training and safeguarding their employees. Members of the NYSC serving as temporary staff are the front-line warriors in our election process. They require adequate training and protection. When they feel secure and assured, they will not take shortcuts or allow others to do so," Omo-Agege, who is also the Obarisi of Urhoboland remarked. He mentioned that although there may be concerns regarding the extent of direct result transmission from voting stations, "June 12 demonstrated that confidence begins at the polling station itself, rather than in an undisclosed location. If INEC guarantees the integrity of votes from the outset, the Nigerian people will have faith in the outcomes.
Thus, even if INEC faces challenges with real-time uploading for some cause, they can maintain trust by fully following the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Clause 27 clearly states: tally the votes, declare them, put them up publicly, issue duplicates, and then move forward with consolidation. Should this process be carried out at all more than 176,000 voting centers, citizens will feel assured throughout the election evening.
He called on young people to commemorate June 12 by registering and acquiring their Permanent Voters' Card (PVC), stating, "The PVC represents your strength. Do not trade it away; exercise it carefully."
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).