Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for traveling to France at a time when Nigeria is grappling with worsening security challenges.
News Round The Clock earlier reported that Tinubu departed Nigeria for France on Wednesday and is expected to return in about two weeks.
In a statement titled “Whither Nigeria, My Beloved Country”, George expressed dismay over the state of the nation, accusing those in power of disregarding reason and implementing policies that could lead to Nigeria’s disintegration.
He described the country as being on a perilous path, likening the present situation to the factors that led to the collapse of Nigeria’s First and Second Republics.
He stated, “This was exactly what happened from mid-30s to early 40s when Adolf Hitler of Germany, Benito Mussolini of Italy and the military apologists in Japan held the world by the jugular. It was almost too late before Americans, Britons and others rose to the occasion to save the world.
“Today, and with the series of crises, insecurity, hunger, joblessness and other vices in the country, President Bola Tinubu has taken off to Paris, France, for reasons best known to him and his handlers.
“Aside from the fact that history is a faithful record of the past, it is also a prophecy of what is coming. That is why Fela’s song is still apt, decades after. Today, I see what led to the collapse of the First and Second republics being repeated by the APC-led Federal Government.”
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George also condemned what he called the government’s misplaced priorities, saying the administration appeared more concerned with recalling suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, than addressing pressing national issues.
He said, “Nigerians don’t feel safe anymore in their fatherland, but the Federal Government, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Senate are only interested in recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. What a shame!
“The partisan handling of the allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, by the Senate and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is an embarrassment to the country.
“It is disheartening that Nigeria is on the spot globally for the wrong reasons. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said recently that democracy is dying. I disagree. Democracy is not dying. Rather, the operators, especially the executive and legislature, are losing their sense of responsibility. It is a big shame.
“Look at the way Nigeria is being embarrassed globally with the way Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is being persecuted, victimised and hounded. Why? She made an allegation, and instead of setting up an independent body to check the claims, she was suspended.”
George accused the APC and the Senate of orchestrating a scheme to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling the process manipulative and flawed.
“Now, they are trying to recall her, using the machinery of state. What is the meaning of this nonsense? Are we this cheap as a country? What type of democracy is this?
“Initially, INEC said the process did not follow laid-down regulations and procedures. In less than 24 hours, the story changed. Now, INEC wants to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted. Seriously? Does what is going on, with many loopholes, make sense to anybody? Why the inconsistency?
“Look at the gang-up against Natasha in the Senate. Don’t these Senators have daughters?
“With insecurity, corruption and poverty all over the place, is the Natasha issue the most topical now? She is a very strong member of our party, and we will not allow this humiliation at all.
“The law says two-thirds of members of the National Assembly must approve a declaration of a state of emergency. That is, 74 Senators and 240 Representatives. So, what is the meaning of voice vote? Did they get these numbers before the emergency rule was okayed? That’s why I commend Senators Tambuwal, Dickson, Abaribe and others who kicked against the illegality and injustice in the Senate.”
George reiterated that the alleged attempt to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan was a politically motivated plot, questioning the authenticity of the recall process.
“I also insist that this attempt to recall Natasha is being stage-managed by the APC and Senate, and it is shameful. How will INEC identify all the signatories and their details? Some characters just went to the INEC office with bags of papers and, boom! It has become an official document. What arrant nonsense? This is clear manipulation, and it will not stand.
“How would the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) identify all the signatories and their details?
“The government also tried to stop her from going to Kogi State, but look at the way she went there in a chopper. Look at the mammoth crowd that received her. Now, the government is embarrassed.”
He warned President Tinubu and other leaders that power is transient and should be wielded with caution.
“The power you wield today is not permanent, you only know the beginning of a crisis, you don’t know where and when it will end.
“Nigerians are suffering, but these operators don’t care about the people. They want to get Natasha out of the system and get Rivers through the back door.
“Mr. President kadankada, nwayo nwayo, te jeje o.”
