TheCable

The federal government has declared Monday as a public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, made the announcement on Thursday.

The minister urged all citizens to support the federal government in its efforts at ensuring a “united and prosperous nation”.

He said there will be peace, unity and progress in Nigeria if every citizen embraces the spirit of brotherliness and neighbourliness.

He urged Nigerians to shun all forms of agitation that threatens the unity of the country.

“As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains one United and Indivisible Entity. No development can take place in an acrimonious environment,” he said in a statement signed by Shuaib Belgore, permanent secretary of the interior ministry.

“With the challenges we face in Nigeria today, I see an opportunity for us not to break up or break down but to break open; open up to ourselves in truth so that we may appreciate each other, understand each other, honour each other and live together in peace and prosperity.”

The minister said things will continue to improve in the country with the efforts being put in place by the Muhammadu Buhari administration to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and stabilise the economy.

In 2018, June 12 became the new date for the celebration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of the late MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.