Politics
THE former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, his Anambra and Kaduna counterparts Peter Obi and Ahmed Makarfi, and other eminent Nigerians have stated that Nigeria must change the quality of its leadership in 2023 in order to take its rightful place in the comity of nations.
Speaking at the 4th yearly lecture of Freedom Online newspaper in Lagos on Tuesday these eminent Nigerians said that Nigerians should vote for good leaders, rather than queue behind leaders who mortgage their lives by giving them money and food as incentive in exchange for votes.
In his speech at the event, the host and Editor-in-Chief of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo, insisted that the time to decide on the bright side or bleak future for Nigeria “is now as the world is moving and not waiting for Nigeria”.
While expressing concern over the present quality of leaders in the country, he declared that “Nigeria urgently needs transformational leaders”.
In his submission, Daniel stated that with the country’s enormous resources, Nigeria could still perform better, if the quality of leadership is addressed.
In his keynote address, entitled: “Nigeria’s Political Indices: Bright or Bleak Future,” the former Ogun State governor urged Nigerians to vote for good leaders, rather than queue behind leaders who mortgage their lives by giving them money and food as incentive in exchange for votes.
He said that Nigerians should realise that the only way to see a developed Nigeria is to ensure that they vote with their brains and not their stomach.
In his remarks, Makarfi, who was the chairman of the event, said that he was optimistic about a brighter Nigeria, but added that the leaders Nigeria need now must be those that would provide a Government of National Unity (GNU).
For Obi, who was the Special Guest Speaker, the recruitment and selection process of leaders in the country are poor.
He said: “We have everything, but lack the right leadership. In choosing the right leaders, we must look at character, competence and capacity. Leaders must also invest in education, health and pull people out of poverty.”
The Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Military Administrator of old Ondo State, Olabode George, said that Nigerians should be seen to be selfless in service and to the rule of law.
George, who was represented by erstwhile member of The Guardian Editorial Board, Iba Gani Adams, said that no matter the situation, he would not give up on Nigeria, saying: “This nation will not, should not and must not fail.”
In his remarks, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, called for restructuring of the country. “The issue of restructuring is very important to us,” he said.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that though there are challenges, there are still good narratives about the country.
He said: “Nigeria is not retrogressing. We are making progress. The youths are doing wonderful things all over the world. For instance, in Lagos, youths are deploying technologies to solve societal problems. The future of Nigeria is very bright and everything is in the hands of all of us—the old and the youths.”
And for the former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, it is time to stop dwelling so much on the past and focus on the future “as tomorrow may be too late”.
According to him, quality of leadership impacts on all citizens and aligns with the need to rethink recruitment process for the leaders of this country.
While Prof. Akin Onigbinde faulted the dominance of money issue in Nigerian politics, the former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State and former Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Omoniyi Olubolade (rtd), concluded that “It shall be well with Nigeria.”
AI
Tags: Dakuku Peterside Iba Gani Adams NIMASA Olabode George PDP Prof. Akin Onigbinde
