Nigeria at 61; Ekiti at 25: Let’s reflect on our mistakes and make amends – Oni

Former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Olusegun Oni, has called on Nigerians to introspect and make amends to those things that Nigeria, as a nation, had done wrong that had put her in the current quagmire.

Oni, a Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship aspirant in next year’s gubernatorial election in Ekiti, said it was by deep reflections and self appraisal that the nation could make corrections and refrain from those things that had made her unworkable

Oni, who made the call in his 61st Independence Day message to Nigerians, noted that the leadership of the country could not continue to take the people for granted.

He urged both political and ethnic leaders “to use this moment to do a mea culpa and reconnect with the people.”

According to the former governor: “we need to do away with the culture of mediocrity, unnecessary killings, banditry, Electoral violence, bribery and corruption, which has held us down retrogressively and developed our potential as a great nation.”

His statement read: “As a reflection on this year’s celebration, I feel a sense of gratitude to all who have stood in defence of liberty, common good and have continued to offer a renewed commitment to exercising our God-given rights of life and freedom.

“As a citizen, I wish fellow Nigerians a Happy 61st Independence Day celebration. In the spirit of the 25th anniversary of the creation of our dear state, I congratulate the good people of Ekiti State.

“If we have done well as a nation and as a state, this day ought to be a unique moment to lavishly celebrate our liberty, ideals and boast of our achievements. But this is not the case.

“Let us reflect deeply and do a self-appraisal on those things we have been doing which have held us backwards as a nation. I want to urge the leadership at the national and subnational to use this moment to do a mea culpa and reconnect with the people.

“You can no longer afford to continue to take the people for granted. The smouldering agitations across the country could boil over if you do not act decisively. Take responsibility for your failures.

“To us all: we need to do away with the culture of mediocrity, unnecessary killings, banditry, electoral violence, bribery and corruption, which has held us down retrogressively and developed our potential as a great nation.

“My fellow Nigerians and good people of Ekiti, it is time for us to insist on the restructuring of our nation and chart a workable path that will lead us into prosperity and advancement in all spheres of human endeavours.

“In spite of the many formidable challenges we have faced as a people, I see a bright future ahead if only we can put our best forward and insist on the restructuring of Nigeria. It has to be now; there is no more time,

“On this Year’s anniversaries, join me in praying to God to have mercy on us and grant us the grace to elect leaders who will serve the people conscientiously.”