The erstwhile secretary of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ayo Opadokun, on Tuesday, called on President Bola Tinubu to return the country to true federal constitutional governance.
He described true federal constitutional governance as the foundation of Nigeria’s independence.
He equally urged Tinubu to take bold steps to correct historical wrongs and restore the nation to its original federal structure.
Opadokun spoke at the 21st Christmas Carol event themed “Rejoice” in Offa, Offa local government area of Kwara State on Tuesday.
“The nation must return to federal constitutional governance; that is upon which we secured our independence. All that we are doing is chasing shadows,” he said.
Opadokun also stressed the need for Tinubu to demonstrate “real determination” in addressing governance challenges.
He expressed deep concern over electoral malpractices, particularly the prevalence of vote-buying during elections, which he described as degrading to voters and democracy.
“Taking five thousand, one thousand naira, or even bread during election time is unfortunate. It doesn’t make people responsible; it lowers their worth and dignity,” Opadokun said.
On the socio-economic challenges facing the nation, Opadokun attributed Nigeria’s struggles to decades of mismanagement, particularly during military regimes.
Opadokun also criticised the legacies of colonial rule and military interventions, blaming them for eroding Nigeria’s cultural and educational values.
“The British and the military destroyed our national values and substituted them with theirs. Between 1845 and 1848, missionaries pleaded for the use of local languages to teach children, but they refused. Today, Nigeria is the largest English-speaking country in the world,” he stated.
While addressing the gathering, the elder statesman urged Nigerians to reassess their roles in the nation’s challenges, highlighting the need for societal reforms and collective responsibility.
“Many of us, both in the lower and elite cadres, have been complicit in perverting societal values. The middle class has been obliterated, and most of the wealthy today benefited from the military’s misguided policies,” he added.
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