Independence Anniversary: Nigeria not on Track – Ekweremadu, Afenifere

Independence Anniversary: Nigeria not on Track – Ekweremadu, Afenifere

It may well be a sober atmosphere across the country as Nigeria marks its 56th Independence anniversary going by statements by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

The principal officer of Nigeria’s topmost legislative body on Friday, declared that Nigeria was not on the right track, reports Punch.

Ekweremadu stressed the need to return to the path of true federalism as envisioned by the country’s founding fathers in order to move Nigeria forward.

The deputy senate president, while also emphasising the need for justice, peace and unity, called on the federal government to mobilise “all capable hands” to salvage the country’s ailing economy.

Ekweremadu said:

“This 56th Independence anniversary calls for sober reflection. No people can make progress unless they retrace their steps back to where the rain started beating them. Nigeria, at formation, had a building plan, which was based on true federalism as covenanted by our founding fathers at various conferences leading up to Independence.

“For as long as we followed that plan, we prospered. But, once we discarded the building plan, dissembled the inherited structures and legacies and began to undermine the fabrics of equity, justice, balance, healthy competition and economic prosperity that was ingrained therein, we charted our route to the current perdition.”

Ekweremadu, however, assured Nigerians that the country would bounce back if immediate steps were taken to unite the country, getting the best hands on deck, irrespective of who they are.

In the same vein, the leader of a Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, expressed disappointment at the pace of development in the country despite its abundant human and natural resources.

Fasoranti told newsmen in Osogbo on the sidelines of the 91st birthday ceremony of Senator Ayo Fasanmi, that Nigeria was not on track even as it marks its 56th Independence anniversary.

The Yoruba leader blamed the situation on the lack of creativity by the country’s leaders, who he said had always depended on oil money to run the country.

“We are disappointed. We are not on track at all,” he said.