Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged the people of the state and Nigerians in general to keep faith in democracy as a platform to deepen their participation in governance as patriotic citizens.

Governor Oyebanji said the Democracy Day offers an opportunity for sober reflection on the journey so far and to deepen their resolve to sustain the ideals of democracy and commitment to a stronger state and a prosperous nation.

The Governor, in a statement marking Democracy Day, signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, noted that June 12, marks a watershed in the nation’s political history and chequered democratic journey.

He said it is a day set aside to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the June 12 1993 presidential election, which has been widely regarded as the freest, fairest and most peaceful national election in the history of Nigeria.

The Ekiti Governor paid tributes to the June 12 symbols, Chief Abiola; his wife, the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and other heroes and heroines of democracy who paid the supreme price for Nigerians to breathe the air of freedom from military dictatorship.

Governor Oyebanji also paid tributes to other pro-democracy patriots who fought for the revalidation of the June 12 and witnessed the dawn of democracy in 1999.

He also hailed the nation’s immediate past President, the late Muhammadu Buhari, who gave official recognition to June 12 as a Democracy Day in Nigeria.

Governor Oyebanji said June 12 symbolises the people’s readiness to set aside ethnic, religious, lingual and cultural differences to enthrone democracy in which their freedom of choice and sacredness of the ballot are respected irrespective of the odds.

While admitting that democracy may not be totally perfect, Governor Oyebanji maintained that it remains the best form of government and offers every citizen opportunities to contribute to decision-making and have their say in the choice of their leaders.

Governor Oyebanji said every Nigerian has a role to play in strengthening the nation’s democracy, adherence to constitutionalism, rule of law and building stronger institutions for good governance.

He congratulated Nigerians and the people of Ekiti State for witnessing this year’s Democracy Day and 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, the longest in the nation’s political history.