Democracy Day Must Be More Than Symbolic, Says Hon. Stephen Ajiya

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….. As Frontline PDP Aspirant Warns against Hypocrisy in Celebrating June 12, Calls for Return to Democratic Ideals

As Nigeria marks the 2025 Democracy Day, Hon. Stephen Abraham Ajiya, a frontline aspirant in the recently aborted North Central Zonal Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has warned political leaders against what he described as the growing hypocrisy in celebrating the occasion while betraying its underlying ideals.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Ajiya described Democracy Day as a moment for deep reflection, not just ritual celebration. He emphasized that June 12—a date symbolic of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle and resistance to electoral injustice—has been stripped of meaning when political actors continue to undermine the very principles it represents.

“June 12 should not be celebrated in words while its core ideals are betrayed in practice,” Ajiya said. “It is a day that challenges every leader, every political party, and every institution to reflect and ask: are we truly upholding the values of democracy, justice, and the people’s will?”

Drawing on his recent experience in the PDP’s internal politics, Ajiya referenced the aborted North Central Zonal Congress, where he was a leading contender. He argued that what transpired was not just a procedural failure but an example of the broader erosion of internal democracy across political platforms.

“As a frontline aspirant in the recently aborted North Central Zonal Congress of our great party, the PDP, I have witnessed firsthand the dangerous drift toward internal suppression and the undermining of democratic processes,” he said. “The congress was not just an administrative failure—it was symptomatic of deeper issues that continue to threaten the integrity of our democracy from within.”

He criticized the persistence of anti-democratic practices in Nigeria’s political landscape, including the imposition of candidates and the manipulation of electoral outcomes. “So long as we continue to promote the imposition of candidates, manipulate electoral processes, and orchestrate plots to subvert the will of the people, our participation in this celebration amounts to nothing more than a mockery—a desecration of the very ideals June 12 represents.”

Ajiya specifically addressed members of the PDP in the North Central Zone, many of whom have expressed dissatisfaction over exclusion and internal contradictions within the party. He praised their resilience and urged them to remain committed to rebuilding the party on the foundations of accountability and justice.

“To the faithful members of the PDP in the North Central Zone, I salute your courage, patience, and commitment to democratic values even in the face of repeated marginalization,” he stated. “Our zone has been a cornerstone in the PDP’s history, and it is time we reclaimed our rightful place in national leadership.”

Reaffirming his personal commitment to democratic principles, Ajiya declared that his political ambition is rooted in service, not self-interest. “I remain unwavering in my resolve to serve with integrity in whatever capacity and to pursue the aspirations of our people with passion and responsibility,” he said.

The Democracy Day message concluded with a powerful appeal to political actors across party lines to restore public confidence in governance by returning to the fundamentals of democracy.

“It is my fervent hope that as we reflect on this Democracy Day, we will resolve—individually and collectively—to play politics by the rules, respect the sovereignty of the electorate, and restore trust in the democratic process. Our future as a nation depends on it.”

The statement served as both a reminder and a challenge to Nigerian political leadership to live out the values of June 12 beyond speeches and ceremonies.

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