DEMOCRACY DAY: YCD HOLDS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF PMB

Oru Leonard

The Youth Coalition for Development, (YCD), pro-Buhari group took up a huge portion of the road yesterday in a solidarity rally for the current administration at the Unity Fountain,

Those in attendance said the rally was in support of what they described as progressive steps taken to restore Nigeria from failing.

Carrying banners and placards with the hashtag, ‘#IStandwithBuhari, the youth group numbering hundreds said the decision to make June 12 the recognized Democracy Day in Nigeria is in the best interest of the nation.

Convener of the rally, Comrade Aminu Aminu, said the mega rally was organised to recognise the strident struggles of pro-democracy campaigners that their efforts will not be allowed to go in vain.

He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has done well to recognise the importance of the day.

“June 12th is a watershed in the annals of Nigeria’s democratic history. It is a day to celebrate the beginning of a consistent and ideological struggle that eventually birth a foundation for the democratic renaissance Nigeria is now building,” he said.

While commending the current administration headed by Muhammadu Buhari for giving June 12 the significance it deserves, Aminu said the president “will continue to enjoy the respect and veneration of all lovers of democracy.”

Martins Igwe, one of the organisers, described the rally as a celebration of democracy.

According to him, “the worst of democracy is the best of military “, therefore those criticizing the current administration should understand that Buhari is doing his best and democracy is a gradual process.

But there was no claim in another area of the city where an anti-government protest was holding as security men heavily descended on the protesting group.

While the democracy day mega rally group enjoyed full protection from security personnel including a helicopter hovering over the venue of the event, those in Gudu bore the brunt of it.

The security men were reported to have teargassed the protesters.

Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued at the Unity Fountain where a lone anti-government protester was attacked for carrying a ‘Buhari must go’. He was beaten up before he was rescued by security men and some organisers of the rally.

Mercy Mayi, said that she was at the rally to shoe support for the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria because “all we want is one Nigeria that is free of war.”

However, protesters held banners in some parts of the Nigeria demonstrating against the PMB led administration in on June 12, 2021, as Nigerian activists called for nationwide protests over what they criticise as bad governance and insecurity, as well as the recent ban of US social media platform Twitter by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Heavy security, deserted streets, as opposing groups protest in different parts of the country.

There were face off among protesters and the police in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Benin.

Credit: The Guardian Newspaper

Photo Credit: The Cable and BBC

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