Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has advocated for the evolution of a two-party system in the country, saying this alone holds the key to political leaders serving the interests of the citizenry.
Kalu spoke in a lecture he gave in Ibadan yesterday, to mark Nigeria’s Centennial celebration. The lecture, organised by the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was entitled: “Nigeria: A Nation in Quest of Credible Leadership.”
The former Abia State governor, who spoke to a hall-packed audience comprising journalists, civil society organisations and members of the Igbo community in the state, at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku declared his backing for the emergence of two major political parties, with a strong opposition to counter the ruling one and provide viable alternative.
He said that the evolution of a credible leadership in the country largely depended on the role of opposition parties and the media. His words: “The opposition movement must be vibrant in this country so as to evolve credible leadership. Otherwise, the ruling party may become complacent and rest on its oars. It is the media that has the constitutional responsibility to create the platform for such robust interface between the opposition and governing parties.”
Nigerians, he charged, must refrain from being beclouded by party loyalty, but support any good and credible leader, who could make a meaningful difference in their lives. Such leaders, he stressed, abound across party lines and should, therefore, be supported.
He had expressed similar views during a courtesy visit to the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at his Agodi office, before proceeding to the venue of the lecture.
Dr. Kalu, who fielded questions after his presentation, remarked that Nigeria was not lacking in good leaders, but regretted that the problem had always been identifying and positioning such leaders to impact on the nation.
He said the focus of leaders should be on bettering the lot of Nigerians and that any leader with that mindset deserved the support of the citizenry irrespective of the party affiliation.
“What Nigerians want are leaders that will give them good roads, potable water, electricity and other amenities of life. Governance is not a personal thing. That is why I call on Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan, because he is trying his best. Jonathan is a liberal president. He is not a wicked man like the past president we had. He’s tolerant of others and no matter what some might say, he’s trying for the country. “Leadership is a collective thing. Jonathan is first among equals, we have given him a trust, we need to support him to carry out that trust and mandate.”
He urged that Jonathan’s constraints be understood, because, “governing a complex nation like ours is not a picnic.”
He added: “The same thing for Governor Ajimobi. The market people want to see the roads you are dualizing, they are not interested in which party you are.
“Of course, I agree that there’s need for strong opposition, because if there’s no opposition, the country will not run very well. That’s why some of us are championing a two party system. The party that handles Nigerian people’s welfare and interest should rule.”
Similarly, he urged the people of Oyo State to support Ajimobi, who, he said, has performed well.
According to Kalu, who is also the Publisher of The Sun Publishing Ltd, Nigeria does not have a dearth of credible leaders, they have not just been identified and given the chance to lead. His words: “What we lack are altruistic leaders who are not driven by crass opportunism.” What we need are leaders who can make a difference, touch people’s standard of living by poverty reduction.” He also remarked that as the 2015 general elections draw near, Nigerians, as a matter of civic duty, should begin to shop for credible leadership.
In a chat with journalists, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, who is also due to visit Osun and Ekiti states, restated his membership of the party and denied alleged moves to woo him by the All Progressives Congress (APC). “You know I’m a very courageous person. If I’m joining APC I will come out and say it,” he said. Earlier, Governor Ajimobi described Kalu as a “brother, friend, patriot, nationalist and a man we should all be proud of.”
He recalled that the former governor made his mark as a leader during his tenure as governor of Abia State which earned him the title of “Governor of Governors.”
The governor said that Dr Kalu represented one of the credible leaders with progressive-like minds who were in PDP, but who should be in a progressive party such as APC.
He hoped that the, “open, amiable, intellectual and detribalized Kalu, who is at home with Yoruba, Hausa and people from other parts of the country would take his right place.”
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