Uzodinma: Good Governance Prerequisite for Democratic Advancement

•George says constitution can’t take Nigeria to promised land 

• Diri calls for fairness in Niger Delta

Segun James

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has advocated good governance as a way of addressing the plethora of problems confronting the nation.

Similarly, a former Deputy National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has said the country could not get to the promisedland with the 1999 constitution as it is.

On his part, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has said the federal goverment has not been fair to the Niger Delta, because despite providing the resources for the country, the region has remained improverished.

These were parts of the remarks at the 5th Annual Lecture of an online news medium, Freedom Online, in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

The lecture was titled: “2023-2027: Elected Leaders, Nigerians and Expectations” and was attended by media gurus and veterans, among others.

Uzodimma believed communication gap among Nigerians worsened the challenges, saying the only language which the people understood was for goverment to provide good governance.

Uzodimma, who was represented by the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, was the guest speaker.

“In tems of governance, Nigerians are resilient, tolerant and quite understanding. I say this because over the years, Nigerians have made sacrifices as demanded by various administrations all in the hope that better days were ahead.

“I strongly believe that Nigerians are good followers, and once we overcone our leadership challenges at various levels, our people are very talented, resourceful, industrious and innovative. This explains why countless Nigerians in the diaspora have continued to record remarkable achievements in their various fields of endeavor,” Uzodimma said.

George, while speaking, said, “This story by Prophet Micah is akin to the present situation in Nigeria and that is why I want to share this message with all Nigerians. I am not talking as a member of any political party but as an elder statesman, who seeks the peace and progress of Nigeria.”

Going biblical, the PDP chieftain said, “The nations would see this and be frustrated in spite of all their strength. In dismay they will close their mouths and cover their ears.

“They will crawl in the dust like snakes; they will come from their fortresses, trembling and afraid. They will turn in fear to the LORD our God.

“There is no other god like you, O LORD; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love.”

Diri appreciated Freedom Online for creating the platform to enlighten the populace, saying candidates needed more of the platform to market their programmes.

Diri, who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, stated that Nigeria has not been fair to the Niger Delta.

“Many years after the country has discovered crude oil and it has become the mainstay of Nigerian economy, Nigeria has not been fair to Niger Delta. We keep the economy bouyant but agricultural ecosystem of Bayelsa has been damaged.”