By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Southwest Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja has called for sober reflection as Nigerians mark this year’s June 12 day.
Ambassador Arapaja while speaking on the 2021 Democracy Day maintained that there was nothing to celebrate as the country marks another democracy day celebration, adding that there is the need for Nigeria leaders to justify the huge sacrifice made by Chief MKO Abiola that gave birth to June 12 by creating enabling environment for citizens and the economy to grow.
The former Deputy Governor lamented the hardship rocking the country occasioned by poor leadership despite the huge sacrifice made by Late MKO which gave birth to Democracy in Nigeria.
“People are not really happy, as the economy of the nation is so bad that the prices of commodity are skyrocketing.To me, there is no true democracy in Nigeria because people are suffering and wallowing in abject poverty. The sacrifice by Chief MKO Abiola seems to have been taken for granted by the leaders”, he said.
Ambassador Arapaja added, “there is nothing really to celebrate because there is no freedom of expression, and people are afraid to talk, there is total apprehension and fear already in the country as you can see, that is why people are not willing to come out to celebrate the June 12, day.
Speaking on the clamour for self-determination and Oduduwa nation by some Yoruba leaders, Ambassador Arapaja said what the nation needs to move forward is restructuring or regional government, adding that the regional system of government would create room for peace and progress in the land.
Commenting on the internal crises rocking the PDP in the state, Ambassador Arapaja explained that such development is inevitable, saying he has taken good steps to address the issue.
“Some members of the party felt marginalized, and it is not good enough for me to fold my hands on the issue. My own objective is to ensure they are united, if we come together, APC will not be able to defeat us in the next election,”
Ambassador Arapaja then assured that he would still reach out to settle the rift among them, adding that the way forward is to harmonize them and bring them together.
ENDS.
