Protests advertisement of inept leadership, bad governance, says cleric

PGF DG seeks recruitment of youths in three tiers of govt

Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Femi Ajakaiye, yesterday, said the anti-SARS marches across the federation were borne out of leadership failure and bad governance, urging the Federal Government to listen to the people.

He warned that the agitations could be counter-productive if let to fester.

This is even as Governor Kayode Fayemi asked those whom he might have wronged to forgive him.

In his homily to mark the second year of the current administration in the state, Ajakaiye urged the governor to reconcile his aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) members within and outside Ekiti, adding: “A leper may not be able to squeeze milk from a cow, but he may be able to spill the milk.”

He also tasked Fayemi on his successor, noting that success without a successor was failure.

The cleric continued: “The Federal Government should listen to the people. I was accosted by SARS at an area in Adebayo around July this year, and I was shocked at the way they treated me.

“If this can be done to a fresh tree, how much more will they do to a dry tree?

“I thank God I didn’t die. The protests are not just about SARS, they are about bad governance, incompetent leadership, leadership that is indifferent to the plight of the people. If the protests are allowed to continue, they might be counter-productive. Enough is enough.”

He further said: “In the journey of faith, success without a successor is failure in reality. Whatever situation we find ourselves, we must not forget God, because all authority is from God. Whatever position you occupy – whether political, traditional – is held in trust for God.”

Responding, Fayemi pleaded with those uncomfortable with his administration for one reason or the other to let bygone be bygone, saying: “We are sorry.”

BESIDES, Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has canvassed the inclusion of youths in all levels of government.

In a statement titled “EndSARS Protest and Need for Radical Politics in Nigeria”, the PGF helmsman said it was incumbent on the protesters to ensure the implementation of the Not Too Young To Run Act to gain unfettered access to political leadership in the country.

Identifying alienation of youths in key sectors of the economy, he called on the APC’s top echelon to attract young people in the current process of rebuilding the party to achieve the goal.