Nigeria is in dire need of leaders with vision, not corrupt individuals who see public office as an opportunity to enrich themselves to the detriment of the society, a top Nigerian lawyer, Chidi Donald Amamgbo has said.
Amamgbo, who is eyeing the Anambra South Senatorial seat in 2023, said Nigerians should not see politics as a do-or-die affair.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the aspiring senator urged Nigerians to resist the temptation to sell their votes or support candidates based on sentiment.
He urged Nigerians to vote for credible candidates in 2023.
According to Amamgbo: “In Nigeria, people grab power, but they have no agenda. They don’t have egalitarian views as to what they want to do with that power. Most times, they use power to enrich themselves. Why because, you know, a lot of Nigerians are lackadaisical, they don’t really pay attention to what their elected leaders are doing. They believe in the politics of ‘give me my own share’, as opposed to demanding for things that better society.
“A lot of people have sat on the sidelines, no matter their level of education. The question is: are you willing to do some of the things these politicians do? But it’s got to change. People who can change things cannot sit and watch generation after generation, become hostages to the ill-prepared politicians. There are good politicians in the land, there are good decent people who are in politics, but there are a lot of people who have no business in politics or being given power.
“Once you’re given power, you’re a statesman, you’re a leader. Society cannot elect an immoral person and expect good governance. Right now we have maximum leaders as politicians.”
He stressed on the need for successful individuals with genuine commitment to contributing towards the development of the country.
The lawyer cum politician noted that people with sincerity of purpose should stop complaining and take action.
He added: “I will be contesting for the Senate because I’m pissed off. Politicians can see our society is degenerating, but they are not doing anything to help the people. What exactly has a politician done for you or me after we have given them power?
“So it’s either you sit and complain, or you join the race and be the lone wolf. Hopefully you can build a coalition of people of like minds and thoughts. And if it (politics) becomes too frustrating, I go back to my business. We have to drop the idea that, year-in, year-out, we just complain how bad Nigeria is and when election time comes around we sit back and some insincere persons come with a bag of money, hand it out to people and rig their way into office. When someone rigs him/herself in, then litigations begin and go on for months.
“Look at what is happening with Anambra PDP, is this politics? It is not that they don’t know the right thing to do. They prefer to create chaos, so that they can be settled. The whole process of electing a leader in Nigeria has become an enterprise that you spend money on and get return-on-investment when you get into office. Look at Julius Nyerere, look at Shehu Shagari, these are politicians who served and lived the simple life after office. So, it’s not like we haven’t seen politicians who were exemplary,” he said. Daily Post