The founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, says Nigeria’s democracy is in great danger.
Peterside, who spoke on Thursday at ‘The Platform’, an annual conference organised by Covenant Christian Centre (CCC), which held virtually in Lagos, noted that the easiest way to destroy a democracy is for people who do not win in an election to assume office.
The virtual event was convened by Poju Oyemade to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.
According to Peterside, Nigeria’s democracy is in danger because the people decide when and where to have free and fair elections.
“That is not the democracy we fought for,” he said.
“In my generation, about the only thing we delivered through activism was democracy.
“That democracy is in danger.
“It must not only be free and fair elections in Edo state but should be free and fair everywhere.
“You cannot have a set of rules in Edo State and have another set of rules for other States,” he said.
Peterside called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies to intensify efforts in ensuring that the democracy fought for was not destroyed.
He called on Nigerian youths to channel their activism towards reviving Nigeria’s democracy and work towards achieving free and fair elections in the country, without which he said they cannot participate in politics.