The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, has warned against threats to Nigeria’s democracy due to what he called the do-or -die manner in which some politicians are conducting themselves towards the 2015 general elections.
The monarch raised the alarm against the backdrop of the controversies and bitterness that trailed the recently held primary elections of political parties in the country.
Abasi-Otu who spoke to journalists in his country home in Adiabo, Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State yesterday said that with his knowledge of what happened during the primary elections of political parties, politicians cannot convince him that the interest of the country and the ordinary citizens occupy any space in their agenda.
“The ambition and interest of many politicians seem to have overridden the interest of the people they are supposed to serve. The political class has now made politics a do-or-die business. To them, once you sail through, you automatically become a millionaire.
“If we can separate the political powers from the financial powers in the running of the country, Nigeria will be better for it. The Governor, for instance, controls the State’s finances and decides what to do with it.
“All over the country, people are complaining over the just concluded party primaries. It was very shabby. It was a disgrace to the power of democracy. They virtually hand-picked their cronies, and tactically lock out others.
“Our democracy has deteriorated to the level that it is those at the corridor of power who decides who should take over political power, not on the basis of quality of service to the people. It has become an avenue to settle political acolytes. The people’s voices are no more important. This is very bad for our body polity.“ [myad]
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