As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day on June 12, a faith-based organization in Rivers State and Social Arm of Solution Prayer Power Divine Ministry – Solution Social Initiative (SSI), has issued a heartfelt appeal to the Federal Government to consolidate the country’s democratic legacy instead of yielding to selfish political interests that undermine the people’s will.
Speaking during a June 12 symposium themed “Faith, Freedom, and the Future of Democracy,” the group called for renewed national commitment to democratic values, especially in politically tense regions like Rivers State.
“June 12 symbolizes a sacrifice for national unity, inclusion, and freedom,” said Prophet Efe Cyril Edah, Executive Director of SSI and General Overseer of Solution Prayer Power Divine Ministry Port-Harcourt. “But we are concerned that today, decisions at the highest levels are being driven more by personal ambition and political preservation than by the pursuit of justice and the common good.”
The organization urged the Federal Government to use this year’s Democracy Day as a turning point—one where public interest is placed above political patronage. With rising concerns over political suppression, intra-party conflicts, and deteriorating democratic culture in parts of the country, particularly Rivers State, SSI stressed the importance of humility, dialogue, and moral leadership.
“Democracy cannot survive in an atmosphere of distrust and power hoarding,” Efe emphasized. “We call on our leaders to remember the price paid on June 12, and to act with the fear of God and a heart for the people.”
Solution Social Initiative, a Social Arm of Solution Prayer Power Divine Ministry, known for its grassroots outreach and civic engagement efforts, warned that growing disillusionment among youth and marginalized communities poses a threat to national cohesion. The group believes faith-based organizations have a critical role in rebuilding public trust and promoting civic education.
“The soul of democracy is not in the ballot box alone—it is in our values,” Efe added. “And right now, those values are under strain.”
The statement from SSI comes at a time of deepening political tension in Rivers State, where allegations of executive overreach and legislative interference have stirred both national and international concern. SSI joined a growing chorus of voices—including civil society groups and international observers—calling for the Federal Government to act with fairness and integrity in preserving the rule of law and representative governance in the state.
As the nation reflects on the legacy of June 12, 1993—the day Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for M.K.O. Abiola in what is still regarded as the country’s freest and fairest election—faith-based leaders like those in SSI are reminding us that democracy is more than a system of government. It is a moral obligation.
Nigeria’s leaders, they argue, must choose between a future shaped by self-interest, or one guided by the shared memory of sacrifice and the hope for a better, freer nation.