By Adegboyega Adeleye
The former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has called for leaders capable of ending oppression in Nigeria, saying the practice was becoming entrenched in the country’s leadership and society.
Baba-Ahmed spoke on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the second edition of the Bala AbdulKadir Mohammed Colloquium, held at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre, Bauchi, to commemorate the 68th birthday of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
He said Nigerians needed leaders who would stand for the people, protect their rights and ensure that oppression did not become entrenched in the country.
He said, “Nigeria needs leaders that will stop oppression. Do you remember that there is a saying about injustice and helping the oppressed and the oppressor?
“How do you help someone who is oppressing? You stop him from oppressing. That is what we need to begin to do because now oppression is getting into the DNA of Nigerian leaders and the Nigerian people.”
The former vice presidential candidate also urged Nigerians to take responsibility for demanding good governance, defending their rights and participating actively in the democratic process.
Baba-Ahmed said, “Why can’t the Nigerian people come together? Why can’t the Nigerian people think for themselves, fend for themselves, stand for themselves and fight for themselves?”
He said democracy must remain centred on the welfare and interests of the people, while questioning whether Nigeria’s democratic system was adequately serving citizens.
Baba-Ahmed also criticised the lack of independence and diversity in the Nigerian Senate, saying lawmakers faced a difficult choice between representing the executive and representing the people.
He said, “The Nigerian Senate has struggled for independence. It has been denied variety and vibrancy. It struggles to know who it represents: is it the almighty executive led by the president, or the people?
“This third point is, in fact, too fundamental because unless where you have people like Bala and my humble self who tend to enforce their independence across then you will have to make a clear choice: you will represent your boss, your benefactor, and your leader.
“If you represent the people, you are at risk; your seat is at risk.”
He further called for forgiveness, unity and trust among Nigerians, saying citizens should recognise the positive contributions of leaders without turning such appreciation into sycophancy.
He said, “When you appreciate leaders, it is not to massage them. What is even more important is to educate others to appreciate and understand, and take an example, even if it is one single quality from that leader.”
Baba-Ahmed also reflected on his involvement in the 2023 general election, saying he did not regret supporting what he described as the defence of Nigerians’ constitutional rights.
He urged Nigerians to learn from the country’s political history and ensure that future leadership remained focused on the interests and welfare of the people.
Also speaking at the event, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kabiru Turaki, called for improved quality of representation and legislation in the National Assembly.
Turaki said lawmakers should focus on making laws that would positively affect the lives of ordinary Nigerians rather than increasing the burden on citizens.
He said, “Every day, laws are being turned out of the National Assembly. Every day, legislation is made. But the question is, do these legislations fundamentally affect the lives of the common man in this country?
“We need legislation that will add value positively to the lives of Nigerians. Legislation that will tackle the problem of unemployment, poverty and insecurity that we are facing today.”
Turaki criticised what he described as legislation that placed additional burdens on Nigerians, saying lawmakers should be more responsive to the challenges confronting citizens.
He also urged young Nigerians to become actively involved in politics and governance, rejecting the notion that the youth should simply wait for their turn to lead.
He said, “They will tell you, ‘Youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow.’ You are 28; you will even get to 68. When will that tomorrow come?”
Turaki urged Nigerians from different sectors of society to participate in politics and the democratic process, warning that the withdrawal of credible and experienced individuals from politics could create room for people without integrity or credibility to take over leadership positions.
He said traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants, businesspeople and other respected members of society should take an interest in political affairs and elections.
He added that citizens had a responsibility to monitor elected officials and demand accountability from those entrusted with public offices.
Turaki said, “It is only by doing so that we will unlock the process. And when we unlock it, then we have the legal and moral right to call those we elected into responsibility.”
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