The Presidential Candidate of the National Action Council in the 2011 presidential election, Dr. Olapade Agoro, has described the Nigerian democracy as laickadasical, saying there is the need to improve democratic practice in the country.
Agoro, who was speaking with The Point on the 21 years of continuous democratic rule in Nigeria, said it was unfortunate that those who fought for democracy for the country and who risked their lives, fighting the military, upon the return to democracy, maintained a ‘siddon look’ attitude and allowed those he called usurpers to take power.
“It is sad; we have been too lackadaisical in the last 21 years. Instead of moving forward, we are moving backward. Most of the people in power are usurpers.
Those that fought for democracy abandoned it for usurpers. We only succeeded in securing the country’s administration from the military, but we are not following democratic principles, which include the rule of law, free and fair electoral process, among others,” he said.
Agoro noted that the crisis that recently engulfed the ruling All Progressives Congress was an indication that all was not well with Nigeria’s democracy.
He said, “Some members suspended the party’s Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and later went to court to seek his removal as chairman. And after his suspension as the chairman was upheld by the Judiciary, about three members of the National Working Committee were laying claim to the position of Acting National Chairman. What a shame! Where is party discipline in all these? That is a ruling party, shame.
“In Edo, the party, APC, held itself in the Jugular, few months to the election. It disqualified its governor, who later left to another party. Very sad indeed.”
He added, “So our democracy, after 21 years, is still a toddler, learning to walk. We must ensure that our elections a re free and fair and that all democratic norms are embraced.
“Most of those in power are accumulating wealth as if they will no longer die. I am thanking God for what He has given me or has provided me with. I have not travelled outside the country in the last five years. Why should I spend almost a million naira to go outside the country and come back?
“Those who are governing us should have the fear of God and stop the unnecessary accumulation of wealth.”
Agoro, in his assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, said he had not done much for Nigerians.
“As a journalist, point to one thing that he has done. Even the issue of the COVID-19 pandemic, another President would have taken proactive decisions before it started spreading. It showed clearly that we were unprepared for the pandemic,” Agoro said.
