Buhari To Lead 1m Nigerians On Domocracy Walk

A pro-democracy and non-profit organisation, The National Democracy Stakeholders Group (NSDG), has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari will spearhead the 2018 edition of Democracy Solidarity Walk.

Mr Kletsaint Akor, NSDG’s Convener, revealed to journalist in Abuja on Sunday that Buhari would lead the walk scheduled for May 29 at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

According to the organisers, NSDG, the walk will be led by governors in the 36 state capitals across Nigeria, and is in partnership with the state and non state partners.

The walk, which is in it fourth edition is themed “Walk for Credible, Free and Fair 2019 Elections”, an it is expected to attract over 1 million people nationwide.

He said that the aim of the exercise was to bring together Nigerians to take charge of the 2019 electoral process through their involvement, orientation and protection of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

“The 2018 edition of the annual Democracy Solidarity Walk will be led by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja and the governors in each of the 36 states.

“It is expected to draw participation from all Nigerian democracy stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC), Trade Union Congress(TUC), political parties, National Orientation Agency, aspirants to elective political offices.

“Others expected to participate are the media, pro-democracy groups, civil society groups, development partners, students union representatives, Non-Governmental Organisations and ordinary Nigerian citizens whose best interests are served by credible elections,’’ he said.

Akor said that the first edition of the walk took place in May 2009 to celebrate Nigeria’s first ever 10 years of uninterrupted democratic governance since independence in 1960, and it drew a huge participation.

The convener stated that the event that took place in 2013 and 2017, had blossomed into into a major component of Nigeria’s annual Democracy Day celebrations as Nigerians had come to the realisation that there was no alternative to democracy.

He further assured that adequate security will be put in place by the Nigeria police and other security agencies throughout the walk.