Posted by By Kazeem Ugbodaga & Eromosele Ebhomele on
Though his administration was overthrown by the military in 1983, former governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, also knownas LKJ, has said that military is not responsible for Nigeria's problems.
Though his administration was overthrown by the military in 1983, former governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, also knownas LKJ, has said that military is not responsible for Nigeria's problems.
Speaking with P.M.News, Jakande advised Nigerian leaders to stop being on the defensive and stop using the military era as the reason for their own lack of focus on the development of the country.
LKJ said: 'The military is not to blame for whatever is wrong now. I think we have had enough time as civilian leaders to have addressed the wrongs.
'I think we should accept the fact that what this country needs now is dedicated and transparent leadership that has a clear direction.'
Jakande stated that it was his personal view that the present democratic dispensation engages in wasting tax payers' fund while running the affairs of the country, yet, 'there is much less of ideologies and principles or even loyalty to the people.'
While appealing for good governance, he asked Nigerian politicians to go back to the drawing board so that they could serve the Nigerian people through clear goals. He emphasised that the country enjoys God's favour but decried the state of the country despite its huge blessings.
'Nigeria has acquired a big amount of respect but the internal problems it is facing are too much. I appeal to the present leaders in our polity to come and save this country.
'How can we be talking of 70 million Nigerians being poor? How can we talk of 80 per cent of school children not going to school and we are happy about it? How can we be in a country where you are not sure of the energy you use to run your industries?' he asked, stressing that out of frustration, Nigerians have left their fate in God's hands. LKJ appealed for a sense of direction by the present crop of political leaders.