Nigeria at 61: Wike blames leadership failure on nation’s woes

P/HARCOURT – Nyesom Wike, Rivers State gov­ernor, has identified failure of quality political leadership as the major problem confronting Nigeria leading to insecurity and socio-political crisis even as it marks 61st anniversary.

Wike said it was regrettable that 61years after Independence Nigeria was still grappling with leadership challenge, pointing out that because of such leadership failure, the nation is now at a point in its history depending totally on God more than ever.

The governor made the assertion at the Interdenominational Church Service organised in commemoration of the 61st Independence anniversary of Nigeria held at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday.

He stated that there was hardly any thing for Nigerians to celebrate as the country marks 61st Independence anniversary because its leadership continues to entrench hatred, mediocrity, promote ethnicity and religion.

“This is the time that Nigeria needs God more. The country is gone. Insecurity every where. Every one needs to say God, we need you because man’s leadership has failed this country,” he said.

The governor noted that per­haps the only thing Nigerians can boast of celebrating is the existence of the name Nigeria.

“At 61 years, Nigeria is full of enmity, full of divisions, hatred and ethnicity. A country that cannot put themselves together. Everybody has responsibility, so ask yourself questions, have Idone my own part?” Wike counselled.

Governor Wike also commented on the sorry state of Nigeria and said at 61 it is far removed from being a country that can compete favorably with prosperous countries of the world, given its abundant resources.

He bemoaned what has become of the nation’s legislature that continues to approve anything for the presidency and not minding the consequences.

He also decried how the nation’s judiciary has succumbed to intimidation because its judges have abandoned their responsibilities out of fear.

He wondered what fate Nigerians will have under such seeming tyrannical atmosphere.

“We cannot do the right things. Other countries are talking about how their elections will be transparent, we are talking about how we will rig the election in 2023. Simple thing, transmit election results electronically to show transparency, that really shows that the person you’r edecl a ring won the election but we are afraid.

“Where is the legislature? A legislature that cannot think, a legislature that anything they bring is right, a legislature that can not say that Nigeria has no thing to regret from conducting free and fair election.

“A legislature that you’ll close your eyes, anything they bring, about borrowing, you say borrow. A legislature that cannot say that this money we are borrowing, where is it; where are you applying it? You have no confidence to ask questions.

“The courts have been intimidated. The judges have abandoned their responsibilities out of fear. You’re seeing something that is wrong, but because you will be summoned in the night, you abandoned your responsibility,” the governor lamented.

Governor Wike also blamed the woes the country has suffered on all Nigerians who have refused to do the right things, but rather allowed the wrong things to be perpetrated in all facets of the society