Respect for people’s democratic rights’ll make independence meaningful —Aregbesola

GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday, identified respect for peoples’ freedom to willingly choose their leaders as the only ingredient that can make the nation’s emancipation from colonial rule meaningful.

In a message signed by his director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the governor affirmed that  “independence, in the true sense of the word, will only make meaning if people of the nation have unrestricted free will to elect their leaders at all tiers of government.”

Aregbesola, who noted that refusal to allow peoples’ will and aspirations to be freely expressed often resulted in chaos and confusion, tasked leaders and people of the country to come to terms with the reality of what democracy means, which he said underscored “unfettered freedom of expression, of choice of those whom the people want to rule them.”

According to him, “democracy as a system of government only has meaning in an atmosphere of freedom. Our nation stands to benefit immensely if the will of the people supersedes the individual leader’s ambition.

“We, as a nation, must put our acts together from now on and remain focused on how to move this country to greater heights.”

While maintaining that the primary message of the nation’s independence anniversary should dwell more on freedom,  Aregbesola said “Nigeria’s independence will be meaningless, unless there is absolute respect for democratic ethos.”