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A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’aba, on Thursday said that lack of internal democracy in the various political parties in Nigeria was killing the development of democracy in the country.
Na’aba spoke in Ibadan at the launch of a book, titled ‘Of Rust and Gold (Snippets of History)’ written by a former member of the House of Representatives, Barr. Femi Kehinde.
Na’aba, who was chairman of the occasion, urged all Nigerians, particularly professionals, to participate in politics, or at worst, monitor political activities to ensure that only qualified persons emerged leaders.
He said: “It will be a curse for me if I leave this venue without addressing the issue of internal democracy within our political parties. I have been speaking on this everywhere I have the opportunity to do so because this is an issue that affects not only politicians but all Nigerians.
“The time has come when we must recognise the importance of participating in the politics of the country. This is because if we must all accept democracy as a way of life, we must be familiar with what is going on.
“The essence of democracy is to have good leaders and good governance for the economic, social and political development of our country. Today, the obliteration of internal democracy within our political parties has caused so much damage to our polity.
“Let me assure you that unless all of us confront this serious infraction on our democracy, our nation will continue to suffer. It does not matter if we as individuals are rich or not, but as long as members of our communities and societies are not allowed to become what they want to be through their God given endowments, this country is doomed.”
Hailing the Yoruba race for its contributions to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, the former speaker said “Ibadan is the headquarters of Yoruba politics. In the House of Representatives which I was part of, we did a lot of things to ensure democracy survived in this country. Among those who supported that struggle were members from the Yoruba race. We must thank the Yoruba race for supporting the course of democracy.”
The book being launched captures the recent history of Ibadan and the major characters with emphasis on the entrepreneurial strength of the Yoruba.
Chief launcher of the day was the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. The monarch reiterated the importance of history, saying: “We must recognise history if we want to be remembered in the future.”
Veteran media practitioner, Dr Festus Adedayo, who reviewed the book, revealed that the 249-page book indicted those who expunged History as a subject from the education curriculum. He described them as the enemies of the country’s past and future.
He said the book contains historical nuggets that every Yoruba and Nigerian should read.
Also present at the occasion were the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola; Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Sen. Lekan Balogun; former Nigerian Ambassador to Philippine, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi; a retired Archbishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Revd Ayo Ladigbolu; former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Segun Adesegun and Justice Ladiran Akintola.