The governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, Wednesday, urged Nigerians to vote against bad leaders at all levels in the country ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Amaechi also advised Nigerians to resist all forms of tyranny and dictatorship currently manifesting in the polity.
The governor stated this at the 3rd annual lecture of the Ogun State Correspondents’ chapel held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat, Iwe Irohin, Abeokuta.
Amaechi who was the guest speaker condemned the current form of federalism, saying that the situation whereby the federal government determines what allocation should accrue to states must be reviewed.
The governor who was represented by the state commissioner for information, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, spoke on the theme: Nigeria: The Leadership Question , said that unless Nigerians rise against bad leadership and instal leadership that was passionate about the country, the country would not make a headway.
He said, “Leadership is an extremely important factor, if we are going to build a nation. Unless and until we have leaders with ability, integrity, commitment and vision, we cannot succeed as a country. We cannot succeed by leadership that is not functional.
“It is in your hands to choose and to change the leadership. Nigerians must begin to insist that they deserve better than they are getting. We believe that Nigeria of our dream is Nigeria with leaders who are not only consistent, transparent but also passionate about our country.
“Can we say that the crop of leadership at various levels is passionate about us as a country? Can we say that the current crop of leadership at the federal level is transparent in their dealings? Can we say that the present crop of leadership at the federal is consistent with policies that will build the nation. I think that the answers to that is the reason why some of us left the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.”
Citing another form of unconstitutional act, the Rivers state governor however, lamented that the National Judicial Council had foisted the chief judge on him contrary to the constitution.
He also condemned the banning of people from holding a peace rally describing it as unconstitutional.
He said, “Nigerians must say no to tyranny. Nigerians must say no to dictatorship. The people get the kind of leadership they deserve.
“It appears that Nigerians have been docile. Nigerians should insist that they deserve more than they are getting.”
“It appears that Nigerians have been docile. Nigerians should insist that they deserve more than they are getting.”
“It is in the Constitution that the governor should be the one to appoint the chief judge, but this was not the case in Rivers. It was the National Judicial Council that appointed the chief judge. This is unconstitutional.”
In his remarks, the state governor , Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by the state commissioner for Information, Yusuph Olaniyonu commended the correspondents ‘ chapel for the lecture and currency of the topic.
Source: Vanguard
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