The Presidential aspirant under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Prince Adewole Adebayo has stated that the Nigeria must build a political system that people can believe in so as to build a country of our dream.
Adebayo made this claim at the weekend when he spoke to newsmen during a television program.
Making reference to how some Nigerians have lost fate in the political system, the renowned lawyer said it Nigerians already hold the opinion that leaders are politics for their selfish interest and not for the people.
In his words, “We need political leaders who can show absolute transparency, absolute selflessness, absolute commitment that when people see, they know that this person is in this politics or these groups of leaders are in this politics for our sake.
“The reason why people take a cut is that they believe that you are there for yourself, and that has to stop.
He however, noted that change in the political culture can happen immediately.
“Who knew that young boys and young girls in Lagos could stand in front of the Police with teargas and come back the next day. So I think that Nigerian politicians tend to run away from their responsibilities by saying the people are not ready.
“People are ready. Only that people are smart and don’t want to be fooled. Because if people are saying Nigeria is when Nigeria is ready, where were you in 2014, 2015, where people were trekking miles to listen to their candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
“People were in tears as if he was a rock star. If he is having a rally in Bauchi, people will walk all the way from Jalingo.
“Recently, I went to Kano to consult my political supporters and something happened. I was supposed to be in Kano by 11.o clock and they have been there by 6 in the morning and I missed my flight, I didn’t get there untill 5 and they were there — Men, women, boys and girls. That day, if I was an unserious person, my life changed.
“So in this country, people can leave their families and still stay in the sun and sit at the road side from morning till midnight because of something called politics. Because somebody is trying to be president of Nigeria and they have not met him before. They believe in what he says and they want to come and hear more. That shows to me that if I don’t misbehave, if I don’t join the bad gang of the unserious people, If I don’t become a looter, and I become a patriotic person. Over time, they will convince more people.
“So the way politicians are describing Nigerians, that’s not the way I find the people. I find them highly committed.
“The game will change in 2023 if the type of politics is the one that will be on the side of the people. ”
Nigerians are feeling really hopeless! When an AGF can publicly boast of sharing cars and will also share planes in the future, and that he is better than those sharing drugs… I just felt really hopeless!! What kind of leaders!!. This narrative need to change from 2023.
Clearly, if people can leave their families and sit in the sun from daylight to midnight by the side of the road because of something called politics. It demonstrates to me that the majority of Nigerians desire a leader who is trustworthy and understands their common ambitions.