'Nigerians save your country' - cleric says

oge okonkwo

January 16, 2015 3:23 PM

Cardinal Okogie said none of the current politicians in the country were worth taking over governance in the country, criticizing them for what he tagged a ‘campaign of hatred’

Archbishop emeritus of Lagos state, Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie has urged Nigerians to rise up and save the country from imminent and irredeemable destruction.

Reports say the Cardinal expressed his fear of possible bloodshed in the February 14 general elections, calling for a change of government amidst the high rate of poverty and insecurity prevalent in the country.

He said none of the current politicians in the country were worth taking over governance in the country, criticizing them for what he tagged a ‘campaign of hatred’.

Okogie said this at the 11th edition of the late Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture and Symposium which he chaired, with the topic being : “Ethnicity, Religion, Illiteracy: Promises and Illusions of Democracy in the Struggle to Uplift the Masses from Impoverishment,” organised by the Ikeja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said: “This is the time we must play politics of the best, for the best position, in order to guarantee the best for our nation. Let only those with the fear of God and lover of their neighbours rule Nigeria; only those who know what to do should sit at the helm of affairs.

“The president should ensure there is security in the country. It is very sad the way things are going on in the country with politicians engaging in campaign of bitterness. How can politicians campaign on personal past issues? I don’t think it is fair. Politicians should campaign on issues, not attack personality. It incites people to anger and warfare. In England and other places, they don’t do that.”

oge okonkwo