Cut down cost of governance and stop purchase of new presidential aircraft—Mike Ozekhome tells Tinubu

President Tinubu has also been told to write his name in gold by addressing the plight of the masses and stop the purchase of aircrafts and cars at this point in time, the country is facing hard times.

Speaking at the annual lecture and gold prize award with the theme: “25 years of unbroken democracy, challenges, prospects and possibilities,” organized by This Nigeria Newspaper, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome asked President Tinubu to go out there and feel the impulse of Nigerians.

Ozekhome noted that Nigeria is not fully practicing what democracy is all about, adding that the country only have civilian democracy.

He lamented that unlike before when Nigeria was producing almost all the essential goods, when naira was higher than the dollar, companies are now leaving the country in drove, adding that the nation is loosing about N94 trillion to this exodus of companies.

Ozekhome said: “What manner of democracy are we practicing. Have we gained or lost something? Democratic is the government of the people, by the people and for the people, is it the same government we are practicing?

“We have not quite gotten the tenet of democracy, we only have civilian government. It is when votes are allowed to count is when you will say there’s democracy.

“One of the best qualities of a leader is to know when you are wrong.”

Companies are leaving the country, Nigeria is losing about N94trillion because of the exit of these companies. Most of them are leaving because of insecurity and other issues. We can arrest the drift like what the Asian Tiger did. They invested in education and others.

“We need our leaders to galvanize our people. We should leave out tribalism, favouritism, ethnicism and others that are not doing us good.

“We need a new Constitution, like what America did then. Not only do we need to decentralize, but we need a new constitution. We need legal reform, electoral reform amongst others.

“We should do away with political corruption, where people in government takes the largest chunk what belong to the people.

“Mr. President, there’s hunger and anger in the land. Disguise yourself one night and go out there and see what Nigerians are facing. Block all loopholes and cut the size of governance. The size of government is too large. We should stop the buying of aircrafts and cars, the people are hungry.

“Mr. President, you have an opportunity to write your name in gold. In time of crisis is when we know great leaders. Come out and empathize with the people you lead. You can do it, it’s not impossible.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by Gen. Adamu Jidda (rtd), noted democracy is a testament of the will of the people, adding that it is a testament, which represents the collective voice, our share value and common aspirations.

He said: “25 years ago in 1999, our nation embarked on the part of democratic governance, a part marked by applications, challenges and unwavering commitment to the placement of freedom, justice and equality.

“Democracy has always been merely a system of government, it is a testament to the will of the people, it represents our collective voice, our share value and common aspirations.

“For Nigeria, the past 25 years has been a testament of the resilient and strength of our democratic institutions despite the myriads of challenges that have come our way, we have remain steadfast in our democratic ideals.”

In his remarks, the Publisher of This Nigeria, Eric Osagie narrated how the newspaper came into being during the COVID in 2020.

He said: “Our award is earned. We have five awardees. If Nigeria will work, it is Nigerians that will make it work and if Nigeria won’t work, it is Nigerians that will make it so.”

He, however, disclosed, who and who is getting the awards, adding the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike
is getting Gold award on infrastructure development and exceptional leadership.

Akwa-Ibom state governor, Umo Eno got award on peace building and innovative leadership, maintaining decent relation with predecessor and inclusive leadership.

Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf was given award on Courage in leadership.

Jim Obaze and Isa Aremu were also given awards.