by James Sambo
A former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has described the present government as being mediocre, and as such, the country needed an urgent rescue from the brink of destruction
Okogie called on all Nigerians to participate in selecting the best person for the job this time around, saying: “This is the time we must play politics of the best, for the best position.”
He made the statement in Lagos on Thursday, January 15, at the 11th edition of the Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium.
Okogie, who was the chairman of the occasion, criticized the present
administration of President Jonathan over the nations economic and security challenges.
He said: “There is extra urgency to rescue Nigeria. This is the time when every right thinking Nigerian must pray to hate the present situation strong enough so as to desire the fortitude to act right.”
“This time does not allow for indifference. All must rise to save Nigeria from the brink of irredeemable destruction. 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 love of their neighbours rule Nigeria; only those who know what to do should sit at the helm of affairs. Enough of mediocrity, enough of failures, enough of nepotism, and enough of ethnicity.”
The cleric described the late Fawehinmi as courageous, principled, and selfless and a detribalized statesman, adding that he was sure that the human rights lawyer was restless in his grave, due to the present state of the nation.
Okogie said: “It is said that Gani Fawehinmi died a sad man. For a man who was fearless in speaking his mind without caring whose ox is gored, he was jailed many times and detained many more times for no personal crime but for his struggle to ensure justice, fairness and good governance in the country, dying without seeing signs that the new dispensation he struggled for will be achieved is a devastating blow.”
“Now in death, the knowledge that Nigeria has deteriorated so badly since his passing away must be giving Gani sleeplessness,” he added.
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