According to the report from the Sun, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress and the immediate past DG of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu described democracy as a continuous learning process, emphasizing that Nigeria is on the right path towards mastering it.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, he highlighted the defeat of several outgoing governors in their bids for Senate positions, challenging the notion of the Senate as a "retirement rest house" for former governors. He also pointed to President Bola Tinubu's loss in Lagos, his stronghold, to illustrate the unpredictable nature of democracy.
He argued that liberal democracy, though not revolutionary, has been instrumental in advancing societies throughout history, citing its role in establishing the rule of law, free speech, and public participation.
He acknowledged the prevailing influence of liberal democracy over authoritarianism, despite the rising global prominence of China, and expressed optimism for Nigeria's democratic journey.
He said, "Democracy is a journey of non-stop dancing and as I said earlier, we are on the right track of the learning process. I remember and cherish the unimaginable scenario of 2023 general election where many outgoing governors lost their bid for the Senate, an arena they have converted to post-retirement rest house. Or have we, due to short memory, forgotten an election where President Bola Tinubu lost his dear Lagos?
The truth is that liberal democracy is not a revolution, but have advanced societies throughout history in evolutionary manner. The liberal democracy established many progressive items in the basket of current world order among which is the rule of law, free speech and peoples participation that still prevails over authoritarianism despite the rise of China."