As Nigeria celebrates its 52nd Independence anniversary, many stakeholders have blamed the political leaders for the misfortune of the country.
Speaking to The Newswriter in Port Harcourt, the chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, South/South and South East, Alh Musa Saidu said the leadership in Nigeria has divided the minds of the people against each other, hence the prevailing security problems in the country.
Alh Saidu attributed the high rate of crimes in the country to lack of employment for teaming youths in the country. He pointed out that the high incidence of kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism and other social vices are caused by idleness.
The Muslim leader also faulted the educational system in the country, which he said does not produce qualitative graduates who can create jobs instead of seeking for employment.
Alh. Saidu berated the politicians for not allowing internal democracy in the political parties, which he said will ensure real democracy in the larger society.
He was emphatic that only proper democracy can allow credible persons participate in politics, insisted of the money bags who do not have anything to offer, but only intimidate people with their ill-gotten wealth.
Alh. Saidu also criticized the creation of multiple security agencies, such as the Federal Road Safety, State Security Service, etc., which he said only serve as conduit pipe to siphon the economy of the country. The Alhaji instead suggested that the police should be restructured and properly funded to perform more effectively.
Adding his voice to the matter, the Archbishop of Niger Delta Diocese, Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey decried the act of fusing religion with politics, which he said has resulted to the current Boko Haram insurgence in Nigeria.
According to the Man of God, politicians have only succeeded in using religion to divide the country, which is not to the best interest of anybody.
He charged the government to go after the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against humanity, stressing that politicians are involved directly or indirectly in these crimes.
Archbishop Kattey however said that the country has done well at 52 if compared to other African countries, in terms of economic development. ####
Barth Ndu
