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Godfatherism, ethnicity bane of Nigeria’s development – PDP Chief

By Adaku Onyenucheya
04 October 2020   |   2:40 am
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Otunba Segun Adewale, has revealed that godfatherism, tribalism are the bane of Nigeria’s developments despite its huge human and natural resources.

Otunba Segun Adewale

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Otunba Segun Adewale, has revealed that godfatherism, tribalism are the bane of Nigeria’s developments despite its huge human and natural resources.
     
Adewale, why fielding questions from journalists on the celebration of Nigeria Independence at 60, said the influence of godfatherism on leadership and tribalism in carrying out projects would continue to drag the country backward.
 
He recalled that during the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and other great founding fathers of Nigeria, there was no godfatherism in leadership positions, which made them accountable to the citizens who gave them power, by making good policies and delivered people-centric projects, which had nationalistic outlook and impacts on the lives of all Nigerians.
 

 
Adewale said: “During the era of these great men, tribalism and religious division were near non-existence, because they were not in power to serve their pockets. They delivered sterling projects that stood the test of time, but today Nigeria have lost these opportunities with the crop of leaders we now have across the states.” 
 
He continued: “If Nigeria is moving forward, you won’t be seeing agitations from Biafrans and Oduduwas asking to be separated from Nigeria.”

This is because of bad leadership, and giving every region and people a fair share of what is due to them, so what do we have to celebrate at 60?”
He said in Nigeria today only few governors are doing well without being tied to any godfather, which is why there are development and projects implemented in their states.
   
“In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, despite the struggle by some godfathers to tie his hands, fought a serious battle and freed himself from their hold. That is why you can see lots of development and projects in Rivers. 
 

   
“ Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, despite the headache of Boko Haram, takes a lot of risk for his people, and he is still delivering projects because he is not tied to any godfather.
   
 “Coming back to Southwest, amongst the governors in the six states, it is only Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, that is totally free from the dictate and control of any godfather. That is why you see the governor busy flagging off projects and commissioning of those he has completed, just in less than two years he came to office.  
   
“I am also sure that Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki will do much more in this his second term, since the godfather who could have set distractions for him is now out of the way,” he said.
     
The PDP leader revealed that there are some states whose governors are not under any godfathers control but are incapable as a result of their incompetence. He charged Nigerians to always shun petty reasons and elected leaders based on competence, capacity and character. 

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