NAN-H-99
Democracy
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Oct. 19, 2016, (NAN) Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’aba, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy would be doomed if ongoing constitutional amendment failed to accommodate internal democracies in political parties.
Na’aba stated this at the launch of a book, ‘Of Rusts and Gold (snippets of history)’, authored by a former member of the House of Representatives, Femi Kehinde, at the University of Ibadan of Wednesday.
According to Naaba, the obliteration of internal democracy within the political parties has caused so much damage to the nation’s polity.
“Let me assure you that unless all of us confront this serious infraction on our democracy, our nation will continue to suffer. It does not matter if we as individuals are rich or not.
“As long as members of our communities and societies are not allowed to become what they want to be through their God-given endowment, this country is doomed.”
He said that the time had come when Nigerians must recognise the importance of participating in the politics of the country.
“This is because if we must all accept democracy as a way of life, we must be familiar with what is going on.
“The essence of democracy is to have good leaders and good governance for the economic, social and political development of our country,’’ he said.
Na’aba also noted that there was danger in being passive towards the nation’s politics, cautioning that such attitude among Nigerians would lead to “our being ruled by ‘fools’ in the society’’.
“I will appeal to all of us to ensure that we set our eyes on whatever goes on in the political sphere of our country.
“The punishment for not taking part in our nation’s democracy is being ruled by the fools among us.
“If we watch and take interest in what is happening, it will go a long way in helping the country. Unless we do that, we will all be doomed,” he insisted.
Na’aba, who referred to Ibadan as headquarters of Yoruba politics, said that House of Representatives, under his leadership, did a lot to ensure that democracy survived in the country.
“Among those who supported that struggle were members from the Yoruba race. We must thank the Yoruba race for supporting the course of democracy” he said.
Dignitaries at the event were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Justice Laniran Akintola and Festus Adedayo, former Special Adviser to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, who reviewed the book. (NAN)
MAM/OPI/OPI
Edited by Olisa Ifeajika