Onaiyekan lamented that despite the country’s attainment of independence and promises of democracy, the progress made by Nigeria is still stagnant.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, on Thursday said he wishes to see a better Nigeria before his death.
Speaking on Channels Television’s show, Sunrise Daily, Onaiyekan said, “I am 80 so I am not going anywhere. I am still dreaming that before I go to paradise, I should see a better Nigeria and I believe it is possible.”
The clergyman said Nigeria’s electoral system needs to be reviewed to ensure that candidates who win were actually chosen by the people.
Onaiyekan lamented that despite the country’s attainment of independence and promises of democracy, the progress made by Nigeria is still stagnant.
READ ALSO:
Tribunal begins hearing May 8 on petitions to overturn Tinubu’s victory
“In university, I believed what we were told, that with independence, Nigeria would become like all the great nations. I have been waiting for almost 70 years now and we are still where we are. In fact, we seem not to have made much progress.
“Maybe I am expecting too much from my country but that is because I have a high opinion of my nation and I love my nation and I would expect that those who are ruling us should share the same emotions so that we can go all over the world proud,” he said.
According to Onaiyekan, Nigerians should have leaders who do not labour under questions of legitimacy but well-proven democracy.
“It is no longer business as usual, we must go back to ourselves as a nation. If we decide we would rule ourselves democratically, we must all accept the rules of democracy. And those who want to be in power should allow that rule to run its course. This anomalous situation should end,” he said.
