After a cursory look at the relationship between the leaders and the led vis-a-vis the overall benefi ts to the people, Senate President Bukola Saraki declared that Nigeria’s democracy is in danger. He spoke yesterday at the launch of a book ‘Th e Challenges of Criminal Justice Administration in Nigeria’, authored by Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, in Abuja. Saraki, it would be recalled, was at the inception of the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government dragged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged false declaration of assets and related issues.
He was, however, cleared by the tribunal which ruled that the case brought against him lacked merit. In what appears a refl ection of this, the Senate President yesterday warned on the need for a just society to allow democracy fl ourish. Saraki, however, called on the Nigerian populace to rise and defend the cause of democracy to avoid its collapse. Represented by his wife, Toyin Saraki, the Senate President noted that lawmakers owe it a duty to look after democracy in Nigeria, as everyone deserves access to medical treatment in the country.
He said: “Justice is served, heard, protected and justicehould work for every single Nigerian. Democracy is being challenged in Nigeria and it is our job to look after it. “Th ousands of Nigerians have no medical care and that is why we must ensure that everyone has the same access to treatment in Nigeria. All births and deaths in the country must be recorded and accounted for to ensure progress of democracy in the country. “Health equality is a human right and that is why in 2004, I collaborated with everyone in Kwara state so that the Child Right Act was adopted and passed on in the state. Every birth in the Nigeria should be accounted for and so that is why I have no problem when I get a call at midnight that a woman wants to deliver a child in prison.
“Th e government has no allocation for delivering children in incarceration. We should ensure that every birth and death is accounted for in Nigeria. Every child born in Nigeria must be registered and we can as a matter of accountability ensure that every death is accounted for also. “We have to protect those who cannot protect themselves. We need to provide the right care and treatment at the right time. Without these measures, we cannot provide for the progress of our country and with this, we will become a fairer society that stands for the good of every citizen in our country.” Also speaking, the book presenter and Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, proposed that the federal government should pass a law that would put people in possession of illegal fi rearms in prison for life.
“Th e federal government must control fi rearms. Everyone not in possession of a legal and a registered fi rearm should return it and pay for possession. A law must be passed to follow this act; there must be a life sentence for anyone found wanting in this regard. “I urge the federal government to put a stop to this situation, because the country is in great danger. Unless these people are punished, the level of arms possession can cause a lot of damage in the country,” the governor submitted In his remark, Kwara state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed listed dedication, determination and commitment as basic ingredients that would enhance effi ciency of the criminal justice administration in Nigeria. “We must be dedicated and committed to these exercises because it will enhance the criminal justice system in our country. I believe that national interest should guide the exercise of presidential system which is being practiced in Nigeria.
“We have to make democracy more considerable in Nigeria, I call for a stronger working relationship between the arms of government so that there will be better democracy in Nigeria. As key stakeholders, let us all make democracy more meaningful in our country,” the governor said
