5th Freedom Online Lecture
OpenLife Nigeria reports that the 5th Freedom Online media lecture which held on Tuesday, July 18 at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, has availed the required opportunities for political stakeholders to offer options for Nigeria’s democratic advancement.
Speaking at the event themed “2023-2027: Nigerians, Elected Leaders and Expectations,” the special guest of honour, Chief Olabode George stated that Nigerians need nothing but good governance from its elected leaders.
He noted that to achieve good governance, peaceful environment and security of life and property are key.
The former national deputy chairman {South} of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, expressed anxiety about the likely outcome of the presidential election tribunal, saying the final verdict could orchestrate commotion in the system if either the petitioners or respondents win the case.
“We are in a situation where if the court favours ‘A’ there would be trouble, and if the court favours ‘B’, there would also be trouble. The way most of our elected leaders take life, it is as if there would be no tomorrow. May God forgive our transgressions and direct the minds of our political leaders in ensuring a good life to all our people in Nigeria,” the retired Navy Commodore declared.
As a remedy, Bode George emphasized that the country is currently in darkness. He advised government to revisit the 2014 Constitutional Conference organized by the government of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
He explained that the solutions to the challenges of democratic governance in Nigeria and expectations from public office holders are documented in the reports.
“I am an elder statesman. I want peace for Nigeria. May God direct the minds of our political leaders,” he prayed.
Lending his voice to the dicussion, former Minister of Police Affairs and first military governor of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Omoniyi Olubolade Caleb ret’d, noted that there are lots of grounds to be covered in the country’s democratic space.
He noted that government must, as a necessity, unite the people and seek expert advice in key areas for positive results in the quest for enhanced economy.
On citizens’ expectation on or before 2027, Olubolade pointed out that government should endeavour to live up to its constitutional responsibility by ensuring safety in the land as well as genuine measure to minimize corruption.
He explained that since oil is a major source of revenue to government , strategic measures should be put in place to address the unending oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Freedom Online media, Pastor Gabriel Akinadewo called for a rework of the constitution to enthrone true federalism.
He stressed that centralized government has been outdated. He pointed out the United States of America where sub national governments function with less dependence on White House.
“Nigeria’s problems are localized and do not require central solutions. America has 15 Ministers {Secretaries} and nobody complains of its community not being represented in Washington DC. This is because the central has been made less attractive,” he emphasized.
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