‘Only Detribalised Politicians Can Save Nigeria’

A MEMBER of the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspapers, Dr Jeremiah Omotola, has said that only detribalised Nigerian politicians could lead the country and her people out of its present socio-political and economic doldrums.

Besides, Omotola said lobbying rather than sentimental issues should form the fulcrum of those aspiring for plum political offices.

Speaking yesterday during a programme organised by Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete in Moro Council of Ilorin, he expressed the belief that Nigerian politics has grown beyond the scope of egotism, warning that the vice would promptly be eradicated from the nation’s politics.

He spoke on the theme: ‘Agenda for the Senate President of the eight National Assembly’.

Omotola, who is also a teacher at the Department of Political Science, Redeemer’s University, Ede in Osun State, urged supporters of former Governor of Kwara state, Dr Bukola Saraki to use the outlined attributes if the politician would emerge as the next president of the Red Chambers.

According to him, “anyone vying for political office in Nigeria should not be packaged along ethnic or religious lines. Nigerian politics is gradually moving away from sentimental issues to germaine ones.”

He urged the followers of Saraki to ensure that the position was truly zoned to North Central geo-political axis by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), so that their agitation would not be futile.

The guest speaker encouraged supporters of Saraki to lobby senators who are members of other political parties in support of the political ambition of the ex-Governor, just as he canvassed more media coverage of Saraki’s past and activities.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah said the University mooted the idea of the discourse in order to showcase to Nigerians the inherent leadership qualities in Saraki.

Na’Allah, represented by Professor Saka Mohammed, Dean Political Science Department, KWASU, said, “what we are doing is not about trying to popularise Saraki; he already has the attribute. It is about engaging ourselves in intellectual discussion towards disclosing Saraki’s attributes to Nigerians.