The Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, has urged Nigerians keep faith with the nation's democratic evolution, saying Nigeria's democracy is a growing system that requires patience, collective commitment and active citizen participation to achieve its full potential.
Speaking in an interview on Politics HQ on News Central Television, Ifeajika said Nigeria's democratic experience should be viewed within the context of its relatively young age, noting that the country had practised uninterrupted democracy for only 27 years compared to older democracies such as the United States.
According to him, while challenges remain in areas such as the rule of law, human rights and electoral credibility, Nigeria has continued to make progress and should not be judged too harshly.
He maintained that mistakes were inevitable in any evolving democracy, but stressed that such shortcomings would be corrected as the country continued to mature politically.
"Our democracy is growing. We are still learning and improving. We may make mistakes along the way, but together, we will correct them and become better. Nigerians must have faith in the system because democracy is a journey," he said.
Ifeajika called on citizens to be more actively involved in elections rather than withdrawing from the process due to skepticism.
He explained that voter-apathy and pessimism could undermine democratic development, advising that Nigerians must participate in elections if they desired quality leadership.
He argued that citizens ultimately shape the kind of leadership they get through their level of participation, adding that electoral reforms and voter-education would further strengthen confidence in the democratic process.
The governor's aide also spoke on the agitation for the creation of Anioma State, saying that any successful state creation effort must originate from the collective will of the people and not from the ambitions of few individuals.
Tracing the agitation to nearly five decades ago, Ifeajika said the quest for Anioma State had been a longstanding aspiration of the people.
He, however, emphasized that the proposed state should remain within Delta State and the South-South geopolitical zone.
"The Anioma State we want is one carved out of Delta State and located in the South-South with Asaba as its capital. Being Igbo does not mean we must belong to the South-East. We are Igbos in Delta State and proud members of the South-South region," he stated.
He dismissed claims that former Governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, opposed the creation of Anioma State, saying that the former governor had consistently supported the agitation but on the condition that any proposal on it must preserve the state's South-South identity.
Ifeajika cautioned against politicising the state creation issue as it was currently being done, and advised that state creation must be driven by broad consensus among stakeholders, including the people and the state government, rather than by political interests of some persons.
According to him, the constitutional process for state creation is clear and begins with widespread support from the affected population before proceeding to the National Assembly, where it must secure approval from two-thirds of both chambers.
"It must come from the people. You do not impose a state on the people. Everybody must be carried along and agree that they need a state before the process can begin. Once there is genuine consensus, the governor and other stakeholders will naturally support it," he said.
Reiterating his confidence in Nigeria's future, Ifeajika urged citizens to remain hopeful and committed to nation-building, expressing optimism that the country's democracy would continue to strengthen with time and greater public participation.
