• Governors, Sultan, NLC, others speak

By Our Correspondents

SENATE President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has said democracy remained the best solution to surmount the challenges.

In a statement to mark this year’s Democracy Day, signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Pub­licity, Mr Yusuph Olani­yonu, yesterday, in Abuja, Saraki described democ­racy as not only the most globally accepted system of government, but, also, the best solution to a multi-cultural, multi-lin­gual and multi-religious society like Nigeria.

Saraki said in the last 17 years, the electorate had become more discern­ing and sophisticated as the nation had got to the point that people, elected into various offices, knew they were being watched.

According to him, “when they fail to meet the expectation of the voters, they will be given the red card”.

He said: “It is the first time in our national his­tory that we will have 17 unbroken years of demo­cratically elected govern­ments.

  • Last one year full of trials –Tambuwal

In Sokoto, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal admitted that the last one year of his administration has been full of trials.

The governor, however, said the unprecedented challenges were occa­sioned by bad leadership of the immediate past government at the cen­tre.

Speaking during a state-wide broadcast on the occasion of Democ­racy Day, Tambuwal as­sured that All Progessives Congress (APC) led gov­ernment has the capacity to bring about necessary input that would positive­ly change the trend.

  • Sultan canvasses support for Buhari

Also speaking yesteday, Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III urged Nige­rians to support and rally round President Muham­madu Buhari in his task of building a virile nation.

The Sultan said the call became imperative in view of the economic upheavals bedevilling the country and the quest by the present administra­tion to proffer lasting so­lution.

According to him, both Muslims and Christians, young and old must come together for the country to record meaningful, steady and consistent growth and development.

  • Why I didn’t mark De­mocracy Day –Masari

In Katsina, Gover­nor Aminu Bello Masari said there was no need to celebrate Democracy Day because of what he described as numerous problems plaguing the nation.

“There are so many problems facing the country and that is why I did not deem it fit to em­bark on any celebrations of Democracy Day today,” Masari said.

He said he had used his one year in office to “clean the rot of the pre­vious regimes,” adding that the administration has been able to curtail activities of cattle rustlers who took over Rugu For­est.

  • Jigawa APC divided as senators shun Gov Badaru’s invitation

In Jigawa, all three serving senators, who are all members of the ruling APC shunned Governor Badaru Abubakar’s invi­tation to mark his one year in office in what ap­peared to be a vote-of-no-confidence on the state government.

  • APC govt laying foundation for new Nigeria -Okorocha

In the South East, Gov­ernor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said the APC-led Federal Government, with Buhari as president, is breaking down the old rotten structure to make way for a new nation all Nigerians would be proud of.

On Imo Okorocha, said: “ I am doing my best to live a legacy that gen­eration yet unborn will be proud of.”

  • NLC lauds Buhari’s anti-corruption, insur­gency wars

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) com­mended President Bu­hari’s anti-corruption and fight against insurgents.

Chairman of the con­gress in Kaduna State, Mr Adamu Ango, gave the commendation, yester­day, in an interview with the News Agency of Nige­ria (NAN).

He said: “The issue of hike in petroleum pump price should have been dropped for now until our refineries are fixed and the product is avail­able.

On his part, the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Shehu Mohammed, said Buhari has done well in the fight against Boko Haram.

  • Unprecedented crowd as Ebonyi marks Democ­racy day

In Ebonyi, there was an unprecedented crowd at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, venue of yester­day’s Democracy Day cel­ebration.

In his address on the occasion, Governor Da­vid Umahi stressed his ad­ministration’s resolve to protect lives and property of the people of the state in the face of the security situation in the country, especially the activities of the Fulani herdsmen.

  • I’ll continue pay­ing salaries as and­when due –Gov. Yari

In Zamfara, despite a depressed economy, Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar promsied he would continue paying salaries as and when due in the state.

Yari said his adminis­tration will encourage and embark on massive production of rice and wheat through irrigation farming in the state.

On-going change’ll benefit people, de­mocracy – Sen. Adeola

Meanwhile, Sena­tor Solomon Adeola has called on Nigerians to persevere in the face of economic and security challenges facing the na­tion.

The senator represent­ing Lagos West senatorial district said policies of government are all geared towards laying a solid foundation for the na­tion’s battered economy.

“After years of the lo­cust under a ruinous PDP led government in over a decade and half.”

He added that “the positive change that will result from these policies will soon begin to mani­fest.”