A pro-democracy activist, Mr. Joejim Alaboso, says only a complete and total national reform will pull Nigeria out of the mess it has been plunged into, and therefore called on the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to show decisiveness and sincerity in tackling the challenge.
Mr. Alaboso, who was campaign director to former President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that Nigeria witnessed its worst years under the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari, since the return to civilian rule in 1999. According to him, Buhari’s regime represents a period of dashed hopes for Nigerians.
“We made significant progress since 1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo took over until 2015 when President Goodluck Jonathan lost the election to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“He (Buhari) came into power by deceiving Nigerians with his CHANGE mantra, but we are all living witnesses to the bankrupt nation he left behind,” he lamented.
While noting that Nigeria’s problem is largely political, Mr. Alaboso called on the political elites to exhibit patriotism and express the political will needed to redeem the country.
He said, “The mistake to a large extent stems from the political parties. If they allow internal democracy to thrive and do not give room for parochial sentiment, they will be able to pick credible candidates which will in return be beneficial to Nigeria.”
He commended Nigerian past leaders who have put the interest of the nation above their personal interests, and enjoined the current leaders to emulate them. According to him, former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar and former President Goodluck Jonathan, among others, remain icons of democracy in the country, and even beyond.
Alaboso pointed out that the 2023 general election has helped to evolve a different brand of politics in the country.
He described the election as an eye opener for majority of Nigerians and called on elected officials not to shy away from their responsibilities any longer.
“If there is a lesson the political elites have learnt in past elections, it should be that it is no longer going to be business as usual.
“Peter Obi has awakened the political consciousness of the average Nigerian and particularly the youths, and the political elite are acutely aware of this fact. Nigerians, going forward, will hold them accountable,” he stated.
He further expressed hope that President Tinubu will take the bull by the horn in solving Nigeria’s problems, and called on him not to disappoint Nigerians.
He said, “President Tinubu, thus far, has shown Nigerians that he will not shy away from making tough decisions to correct the failure of his predecessor and that is a good sign.
He is known for his ability to choose the right people to fill his cabinet and I honestly hope he will have more young people in his cabinet and not follow the path of his predecessor who filled his cabinet with inexperienced people who lacked the capacity to fill their portfolios.”
Mr. Alabroso also remarked the institutional reforms being undertaken by the president in the country’s apex bank, and urged him to extend same to other sectors, as well as leave no stone unturned, to ensure that all bag eggs are fished out.
