In a lively exchange of views at the “25 Years of Unbroken Democracy” lecture and awards event in Abuja on Thursday, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, disagreed with human rights activist Mike Ozekhome and Senator Shehu Sani on Nigeria’s democratic progress and current realities.
Ozekhome, the guest lecturer, criticized the democratic system in the country, stating: “Of course, we have a civil government, but I am not very sure that this is democracy in the true sense. Democracy means the people choose or choose their leaders; the votes are counted and allowed to count. When this happens then we can say that the people have chosen or chosen their leader. The people become dogs, and those who are elected become the tail. The tail can’t move the dog.”
He also painted a bleak picture of the current state of Nigeria.
Ozekhome said: “Nigerians are suffering. No one should deceive the president. There is mass poverty, degradation and anger in the country. Don’t let your bodyguards tell you otherwise. Go undercover one night, go out and see the anger and hunger in the country. People are angry because fuel has gone from N192 a litre to between N650 and N800. Small-scale industries, which are usually the lifeblood of a country, are almost dead. Who can afford fuel to run a small generator to do barber work?”
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The senior lawyer stressed the need for empathy and practical solutions, urging the government to: “Close all the loopholes, and cut the size of the government, which is too big and wasteful. We have to get rid of the long convoys. Our convoys are too long. There is a way to empathize with the people. We should not buy more planes and vehicles in a country that is already struggling economically.”
In response, Wike criticized Ozekhome, arguing that it was wrong to suggest that no progress had been made, especially after Ozekhome acknowledged that Abuja under President Tinubu’s administration had donned a new look.
“The lecturer, Professor Ozekhome, a friend of mine, has said a few things, but it would be wrong to sit here without correcting some impressions. First of all, we are talking about 25 years of democracy; we know we have challenges. I was hoping the lecturer would say, ‘Yes, we’ve made some progress.’ But throughout his lecture, not a single progress was mentioned. It’s just criticism, criticism, and criticism. Are you telling me that in 25 years, we haven’t made any progress? If we have, then we can say yes, we have made this progress, but there is still room for us to move forward.”
Wike stressed that his work as FCT minister, supported by awards from event organisers, should leave a positive impression on the president who appointed him, as well as raise hopes that this progress will be replicated in other sectors.
“Mr. President knows there is a problem; that’s why he launched the New Hope Agenda because he knows we have lost hope, but he has to work hard to restore hope to the Nigerian people. It’s not that Mr. President just sits and deceives people. Who doesn’t know that Nigerians are suffering? That is no longer a story, and we have to know the difference between theory and practice.”
Addressing Senator Shehu Sani, a participant at the talk, Wike said: “The fact that you are activists does not mean you will succeed. Activists always fail. When you are in the Senate, how are we doing as senators?”
Addressing Ozekhome, Wike added: “On election fraud, as an activist, how many times have you rejected reports? You always defend those who have committed election fraud.”
The debate highlighted contrasting views on Nigeria’s democratic progress and the need for constructive dialogue to address the country’s challenges.
Wike, Ozekhome, Sani in heated debate on Nigeria’s democratic progress first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Top News from Ripples Nigeria.
