Bernice Larryoboh, Ajirioghene Imah
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has said that Federal Government, FG should avoid sentiments and discrimination in carrying out political duties.
The Bishop made this known while delivering his speech at Aare Afe Babalola’s 60th year at the bar, held in the famous Afe Babalola University, (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti today.
According to Bishop, upholding the provisions of democracy requires a selfless service which should not be sentimentally driven to foster development.
He added that most leaders have limited development to their hometown which according to him does not project democracy.
“I must say that Daura in Katsina has enjoyed development over time, owing to the fact that it is the hometown of the former President, (Muhammadu Buhari). It is disheartening to know that even Katsina as a whole is not even close to development despite Daura being part of its domain. This does not speak well of our democracy.”
“Nigeria needs to grow, develop and democratize as it is democratization of democracy that leads to democracy” he said.
Speaking at the event, Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria and human right activists has urged the Nigeria Government to lead an anti-corruption crusade against looters.
In his words, “let’s lead an anti- corruption crusade as right now, we are in trouble as a country.
“Let’s go back to the era where people who have been involved in corruption and looting, cannot take part in the decision making process of the country”.
Falana also urged the Government to desist from religious discrimination “in places where there are mosques but not church, let the Christians go to court as it is an act of discrimination” he said.
Furthermore, he urged citizens of the country to realize and take advantage of their rights. “When a person is killed one can sue the Government to punish the offender or to pay a fee as compensation” he added.
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo also stated that the democracy of a nation is very important, noting that it is a journey and not a destination.
According to him, democracy, good governance must lead to the welfare and wellbeing of the people, particularly the common people.
In his words, “In the American constitution, every person is born equal not every citizen, and they enjoy the constitutional right. But with us, the constitution is breached.
“We have no democracy that delivers the dividends of democracy. And if your democracy does not deliver, anything goes.
“Most of the people who are supposed to manage the constitution are the ones who undermine the constitution. Your democracy must deliver the dividends of democracy.
“I believe that constitutionalism, democracy must be for the welfare and wellbeing of the people. Leadership at all level requires certain things character, understanding knowledge, sacrifice and if these are not there, we are deceiving ourselves.
“All these must lead to the welfare, prosperity, security of the people and if we cannot manage it doesn’t matter what we talk about constitution, democracy.”
Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), LL. D (UNILAG), LL. D (UI) etc, FNSE, FNIALS, FCIArb, a self-made man, is a distinguished member of the Bar of England and Wales, as well as a member of the Nigerian Bar. He’s a foremost Senior Advocate in Nigeria as well as a prominent advocate of quality and functional education in Nigeria and a philanthropist.
Notwithstanding, the nonagenarian is a big-time farmer, the Aare Bamofin of Yoruba Empire, the former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, former Chairman of all Pro-Chancellors of Nigeria and the Founder of the increasingly famous Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) which the international Times Higher Education Impact Rankings rated as Number 1 University out of the 221 universities in Nigeria and Number 321 in the world.