● Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigeria's economy is in ruins because the country can't account for its oil production due to theft. Speaking at a book launch event, he also called for a proper political culture and criticised Nigerians for not playing by the rules. Meanwhile, former Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof. Ango Abdullahi stated that Nigeria's leadership has failed its people and there was a need to rescue the country from this deficit. He added that it was time to go back to the drawing board and save Nigeria as internal democracy in political parties would reduce court involvement in their affairs. " This country. This must stop”.
He also said: “Time has come for us to go back to the drawing boards to rescue this country.
The former chairman NEF lamented that Nigeria with a population of over 200 million people is struggling to generate 4,000 megawatts of power.
Narrating his encounter with an elder statesman, Aminu Dantata, Abdullahi said Dantata was angry with northerners because they failed the North.
According to him, “Enough is enough of our failure; we must agree that we failed enough.
“I visited Dantata and he was very angry with me, saying the people of the North have failed the North and Nigeria. Until the North accepts that they have failed the North and sit together to discuss the way forward, there won’t be progress.
“We gathered in 1978 when we wanted to return to civilian rule. We were to discuss why the system of 1961 failed but we were shocked when they said the parliamentary system of government was not going to be discussed and that we should go for the federal system of government. They presented us with two choices: that of France and the United States. However, after 24 years of implementing the presidential system, it has proven to be a failure and I would give it a grade of F9.
“Time has come for us to go back to the drawing board so that we can save this country,” Abdullahi stated.
In his remarks, the former National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Secondus, called for judicial reforms in political activities so that elections would be decided by the people and not the courts.
But in his response, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), insisted that the judiciary saved Nigeria from disintegration.
In his remarks, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, the former national chairman of PDP, asserted that he was ousted from his position by the powers that be due to his advocacy for internal democracy within the party. According to Nwodo, embracing internal democracy in political parties would effectively diminish or eliminate the need for courts to interfere in their affairs.
Other speakers at the event also shared their views on the state of Nigeria's political landscape. One speaker, a youth leader, emphasized the need for young people to be more involved in politics and for the older generation to mentor them. He argued that this was crucial if Nigeria was to move forward and achieve its potential.
Another speaker, a prominent business leader, called for greater investment in infrastructure and education. He argued that these were essential if Nigeria was to compete on a global stage and attract foreign investment.
Overall, it was clear from the event that there is widespread concern about the direction of Nigeria's economy and political system. Many speakers agreed that urgent action is needed if Nigeria is to avoid further decline and realize its potential as a prosperous and stable nation.
● A youth leader emphasized the need for young people to be more involved in politics and for the older generation to mentor them. He argued that this was crucial if Nigeria was to move forward and achieve its potential.
● A prominent business leader called for greater investment in infrastructure and education. He argued that these were essential if Nigeria was to compete on a global stage and attract foreign investment.
● Many speakers agreed that urgent action is needed if Nigeria is to avoid further decline and realize its potential as a prosperous and stable nation. It is clear from the event that there is widespread concern about the direction of Nigeria's economy and political system.
The event highlighted the need for a collective effort to rescue Nigeria from its current state of deficit. The former president's revelation about the country's ruined economy due to oil theft was a cause for concern, as was the failure of leadership to meet the needs of the people. The former chairman of NEF called for internal democracy in political parties, while other speakers emphasized the importance of young people's involvement in politics and investment in infrastructure and education. Urgent action is needed if Nigeria is to avoid further decline and realize its potential as a prosperous and stable nation. It is clear that there is widespread concern about the direction of Nigeria's economy and political system, and concerted efforts are required to address these issues.