Democracy @ 25: Lack Of Patriotism, Corruption Plague Nigeria – Ex-Lawmaker Akinlaja 

Former lawmaker who represented Ondo East and West Federal Constituency in the 7th and 8th Assembly, Joseph Iranola Akinlaja has said as Nigeria marks her 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, some of the challenges plaguing the country are lack of patriotism by the citizens, bribery and endemic corruption.

He blamed both the leaders and the led for their action and inaction, adding that these vices have exacerbated the country’s woes.

The former General Secretary of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and former Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress under Adams Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to always consider the nation first in whatever they do to strengthen its unity, integrity, progress and as well promote peace.

Akinlaja noted that the 25 years of unbroken democracy and all its benefits being enjoyed by the citizens today was due to sacrifices made by past heroes.

In a statement made available to journalists, the former unionist said many Nigerians do not have a history of patriotism, a type which was ingrained in the DNA of the Ghanaians by their leaders, such as Dr Osagiefo Kwame Nkruma and Jerry John rawlings. He maintained that the majority of Ghanaians had disdain for corruption and could afford to vote against bribery on election day.

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Akinlaja said: “Unfortunately the Patriotism ingrained in the DNA of the Ghanaians by their leader Dr Osagiefo Kwame Nkruma followed by Lt Jerry Rawlings is absent in Nigerians therefore the majority of Ghanaians hate corruption and can afford to vote against bribery on election day.

“But in Nigeria we do not have such history.

“Our leaders control us through inducement of different forms. Yorubas of my youth grew up to know bribe as (OWO EYIN) i.e. back money, because it is a shameful thing to do. But now it is (OWO IWAJU) i.e front money. People now solicit for bribe openly something like you never settle me o. Or ‘show me love or ‘shakebody’ or ‘money for mark’ in schools, POCKETISM (policy of what is in it for me) instead of PATRIOTISM. Contracts inflation etc.

“With weaponisation of poverty in the land and very huge free money in the hands of few people controlling the economy and without Patriotism in our DNA how can we vote like Ghanaians without accepting money for vote. The day we can in majority say capital no- to hell with money for vote that day we are on our way to political salvation in Nigeria.”

He concluded by posing a question “Who will bell the cat?”