According to Daily Trust, On Sunday, Dumebi Kachikwu, the former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), addressed ongoing unrest and urged protesters to seek peace for the stability and survival of Nigeria. In a statement made in Abuja, Kachikwu appealed to those discontented with the current state of affairs to hold their grievances until the next presidential election. He emphasized that it is through the electoral process, not through unrest, that changes in leadership should be pursued.
Kachikwu called on the opposition to take a constructive approach by offering solutions to the nation’s issues rather than inciting violence or seeking to destabilize the democratically elected government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and order, urging political actors to act responsibly in the best interests of the country.
In his remarks, Kachikwu also advised President Tinubu to adopt an inclusive approach in governance. He urged the President to consult widely and involve diverse perspectives in decision-making, rather than attempting to govern in isolation. According to Kachikwu, this inclusive approach would enhance the administration’s ability to address the complex challenges facing Nigeria.
Reflecting on the political climate, Kachikwu criticized the lack of emphasis on credible debates during election campaigns in Nigeria. He noted that, unlike in other democracies where debates are a critical tool for assessing candidates’ capabilities, Nigerian elections often neglect this important aspect. He pointed out that despite previous instances where candidates performed poorly in debates, such as former President Buhari, they were still elected. This, he argued, contributed to a lack of accountability and transparency in governance.
Kachikwu lamented the consequences of past administrations’ failures, suggesting that poor leadership had significantly hindered Nigeria’s progress. He highlighted the setbacks experienced under former President Buhari’s administration, which he claimed had set the country back by decades. Kachikwu expressed disappointment that the public did not demand better governance or hold leaders accountable during that period.
He said: “Nigerians lost a golden opportunity by not insisting on credible debates. Joe Biden has pulled out of the race because a single debate spotlighted his deficiencies but here in Nigeria we don’t care. President Buhari fumbled in all the debates, but he won two elections. His government set us back three decades, but yet we didn’t protest bad governance when he was President.”....Seê_Morê
