Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Gabriel Dewan, says Nigerian leaders have failed to perform their responsibilities.
According to the speaker, it is unfortunate that despite the country’s natural resources, Nigeria is still lagging behind in terms of development.
He explained that many countries that adopted democracy after Nigeria’s independence have already developed their countries.
The speaker said this while briefing journalists in Jos, the state capital, on Nigeria’s 25 years uninterrupted democracy.
He said, “To be fair to Nigerians, if democracy is about government of the people, by the people and for the people, and considering the natural resources that the country is endowed with, we have failed Nigerians.
“Without apology, I am saying this, we the leaders of this country have failed Nigerians because Nigeria ought to be far better than this considering the Natural resources. There are countries that are not richer than Nigeria but are far better than us. That is why, at a point some of us felt it was better we go back to military or not because most of the infrastructures built in this country are by the military. If I am to score the performance of Nigeria from 1999 to date, I will say 7% out of 100% in all sectors.”
Buttressing his position on development in the country, the speaker said, “It is only in Nigeria today that Minister of health is seeking medical attention at private hospitals rather than public hospitals. It is in Nigeria that Minister of education takes his children to private school rather than public schools. Common LGA chairmen are not enrolling their children in public schools. This is to tell you the kind of democracy we are running in this country.”
Dewan, however, said for the country to be developed, leaders must take their responsibilities as leader and be patriotic, emphasizing that there was need for total overhaul of democracy practice in Nigeria and what the country was practicing is not democracy.
He called on the leaders to rethink and provide services for the betterment of the country rather than themselves.
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