Governorship candidate on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, has called for better leadership of Nigeria through the election of the best candidates across board.
The former minister of State for education, also urged Nigerians to ensure more vibrant, constructive and patriotic citizen participation in the governance of their country.
In a statement on Saturday 1st of October 2022, signed by his Special Assistant, Temitope Temiloluwa, the renowned Criminologist admonished Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves to the idea of defining their personal interests in line with how it helps the realization of national objectives.
Gbagi, explained that the national objective of every Nigerian should be to build a united, peaceful, economically strong, internationally respected country, with robust military, well motivated work-force, ambitious youth and fulfilled citizens.
“Citizens should stop abandoning politics and political choices to politicians and manipulative elements who invoke only religious, ethnic and geo-political sentiments to impose leadership who are only supported for the purpose of serving the interests of those who put them in office.
“Nigerians should vow that the leader who will lead the country when it is celebrating its 63rd anniversary must be one who would have set this country on the path of genuine socio-economic development and political greatness.
“These ideals are what we should rally our people around. The people should not allow government officials and politicians to continue manipulating them in pursuit of narrow interests.
“It is only manipulation that will allow voters to ignore competence, experience, suitability and temperament of candidates for public office and rather focus on where he comes from, how he worships his God and how much he is ready to dole out”
Addressing Deltans, the largest private investor in the state, said: “Our people should stop being complacent. The best amongst us should be the one leading the rest. Voters should be ready at all times to intervene when government is derailing from the general interest and objectives or placing personal or group interest above state interest.
“Never again, must we allow leaders who behave as emperors, maximum rulers or messiahs and cabals created by them to seize control of government and its machinery.
“At this point when democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, all Nigerians should use the occasion of the 62nd Independence Anniversary to redefine what should constitute the Nigerian dream, rally round that dream, support leaders who are capable and competent to realize that dream,” he said.
He further noted that one of the key reasons for the non-realization of the dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers was because the citizens failed to seize control of the fortunes and future of the country while allowing sentiments to determine the choice of leaders and what national objectives should entail.
While calling for a vigilant citizenry involved in monitoring government activities, officials and programmes, he prayed that the country will continue to exist in peace, with unity among the various groups and continuous development of the various parts.
