HENRY Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State governor, on Sunday challenged anti-democratic forces who have been working to truncate democracy to have a rethink, because democracy in Nigeria had come to stay.

According to him, it is no longer fashionable to have a non-democratic society, because democracy remained the best system of government.

Dickson’s comments were contained in his goodwill message to all Nigerians on the 2017 Democracy Day, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson.

The governor expressed strong optimism that despite the various anti-democratic forces, ‎the nation’s democracy would continue to grow and become a reference point for many countries.

He observed that as a form of government, democracy had evolved, adding that as an institution, it is checkmating some of the developmental challenges in the country.

‎While paying tribute to all those who have contributed immensely to the sustenance of democracy in the country, the Bayelsa state governor remarked that they have a confirmed place in the good books of history.

He charged critical stakeholders like members of the National Assembly, civil society organizations and the media not to abdicate their role to defend and promote the noble ideals of democracy even in the face of constant threats and intimidation.

Dickson used the opportunity to congratulate Bayelsans and  Nigerians generally on this year’s anniversary of Nigeria’s Democracy Day and prayed God to continue to guide and preserve our democracy.

—  May 29, 2017 @ 11:10 GMT