A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attairu Jega, has asserted that the two major political parties in Nigeria have led the country astray over the last 21 years of democratic governance.
The former electoral umpire boss stated this when he spoke at the maiden inaugural lecture of Kwaravisioners Network for Rural Development, in Ilorin the Kwara State capital, on Saturday.
Professor Jega advocated the creation of new special vehicles to free Nigeria from its present strangulation.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Politics, Governance and Leadership Recruitment in 21st Century Democracy’ Jega, who described Nigeria as a failing state, appealed to Nigerians to work hard to change her ways for the country to move forward.
‘From the local, state, and federal government levels, we have clueless leadership because of the way they got into power,’ he declared.
He warned that Nigeria may run aground if the needful is not done at the right time.
Read Also: Don’t Vote APC, PDP In 2023 – Attahiru Jega Warns Nigerians
The former INEC chairman, also called for development of a people-oriented party structure that will be accountable to the people, adding that people must also elect leaders with integrity and competence.
Jega, used the occasion to dismiss speculation about presidential ambition, saying ‘I have no presidential ambition, all I am doing is to contribute to a credible, reliable and acceptable process of election and leadership recruitment in the country’.
The Head of News and Current Affairs, TVC, Babajide Kolade Otitoju, who also spoke at event stressed that nobody should pretend that all is well with the country presently.
He warned that if the present situation in Nigeria is not well managed, ‘we will all go down together.’
Otitoju observed that there is no leadership recruitment module that can deliver Nigeria.
He challenged voters to change bad leaders through the ballot box or else the current situation in the country may continue unabated.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK