Ex-SDP presidential candidate urges politicians to restore Nigerians’ trust in leadership

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has called for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s political class to restore the faith of Nigerians in their leaders.

He made the call during the 2024 reunion programme of former and current House of Representatives members, which brought together lawmakers from 1979 to the present.

The programme was held in Abuja on Thursday.

According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Friday, Adebayo emphasised the need for an overhaul of the Nigerian political system, urging for leaders with genuine intentions to serve the people.

He lamented that Nigerians often perceive politicians as lacking principles and integrity, creating a negative image of the country on the global stage.

Adebayo, who was the keynote speaker at the event, commended the event’s convener, Rt Honourable Mulikat Adeola, and encouraged both former and present lawmakers to unite and speak out against injustice and maladministration when necessary.

Addressing the gathering, Adebayo remarked that House of Representatives members, as the most accessible lawmakers to the people at the federal level, have lost the trust of their constituents.

He said, “Let us be honest with ourselves, where are we today? How far have we travelled? We should be honest and agree that we are nowhere near where we are supposed to be. I believe that is why this gathering is now called upon to continue the dialogue.

“Again, truth be told, we must rehabilitate the political class so that the people of Nigeria can believe in their leaders.”

Adebayo further stressed that Nigerians should be able to respect their political leaders, saying, “When you go somewhere and say, I am a politician, people should be happy to talk to you, they should respect what they do, and respect what they say either as an individual or as a government.

“If this happens, our country will be respected outside Nigeria. But today it is a contrast. We expect people who are suffering, people who are hungry, and people who can not afford to earn a living to respect what the political class is saying?”

He added, “What Nigerians are saying is that politicians have no principles. Politicians are not good, forgetting that there is no country that is capable and successful that does not have a well-respected political class.”

The former presidential candidatee re-emphasised that for a better Nigeria to be guaranteed for everyone, there should be strong institutions including security architecture, judiciary, civil service, and industry.

“In a country with a high unemployment rate, every citizen sees politics as a career business for self-serving and not for public service,” he stated.

The reunion event also featured remarks from Adeola, who noted that the gathering was a first of its kind and promised continued dialogue on the state of the nation.

Former Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Yakubu Dogara, assured the attendees that periodic meetings would focus on nation-building and issues affecting the parliament.

The speakers said that despite the current economic doldrums of the country, issues of nation-building and unity in patriotic criticism should be their watchwords.