We must salvage Nigeria – Fayose

Former Governor Ayodele Peter Fayose of Ekiti State has decries that the corporate existence of Nigeria is under severe threat because of selective administration of justice, marginalisation, vendetta against perceived political opponents, among others, saying that well-meaning citizens should rise to salvage the situation before it is too late.

The former governor also lamented the level of poverty in the country, noting that many Nigerians are dying in silence with nobody standing up for them.

Fayose, therefore, called on people of good conscience not to allow their voices to be silenced because of possible political antagonism or persecution.

Fayose in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, was of the view that the major step to take to solve the problem was in going back to the basics and restructuring the country.

The former governor, responding to questions from newsmen after the event, said he would not allow anybody to drown his voice or silence him no matter what it would cost.

“A lot of people we know to be vocal have lost their voices. Some have taken cover under the beds of their wives. We are in a perilous time and I appreciate those who are still standing for the people at this time. For me I will remain a man. Some people have kept quiet because they fear that they may be persecuted.

” But should we all keep quiet when people are oppressed and suppressed and blatantly marginalised? Look at the level of poverty in the country, it is sickening. The standard of living has gone down. And how do we explain a situation where some people are treated as slaves and others as princes. This country belongs to all of us. It is in serious need now and we must salvage the situation,” he said.

On the call for restructuring, Fayose said he aligns with the call made many years ago by the late Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu that the country must be restructured.

He stated that the issues that led to the civil war were yet to be resolved many decades after.

“I was moved by what the late Chief Ojukwu said many years ago and never knew his wife would be the one to present this award to me. We should go back to the basics or we are going nowhere. We are one and the same and no section must be marginalised,” Fayose said.

The former governor also challenged leaders to make laws for the good of the people, adding that such laws must be obeyed by all.