Former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has bemoaned the state of democracy in the country, stating that those who laid its foundation would be unhappy in their graves.
Tambuwal spoke in Abuja on Saturday at a colloquium organised to mark his 60th birthday.
The former speaker of the house of representatives said Nigeria is in “peril” and there is a need for collective effort to save the country.
The serving senator said the event is not about him but an opportunity to seek a pathway for the country’s progress.
Tambuwal said Nigeria needs “salvation” from the political, social, and economic challenges bedevilling the country.
He added that those who laid the foundation of the country’s democracy are not happy with the current situation of Nigeria.
“It is for all of us to agree that there is something fundamentally wrong with what we are doing and having as a government in Nigeria today,” he said.
“It is all about good governance; it is not about me. It is not about merrymaking; it is about looking for a pathway for our country. Whether we like it or not, where we are today is unfortunate.
“This is not where we expected to be. Those who laid the foundation for democracy, some alive and many no longer living, even in their graves, are not happy with the current situation in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is in peril, and we are looking for salvation, and it is a collective process. It is not about partisanship. It is not about political parties alone.
“But we must all be involved. Why? Because we are citizens of this country, and we have nowhere to go and nowhere to run to.
“We must remain in Nigeria and ensure that we do the right thing to have the right leadership.”
Tambuwal said he is ready to recommit himself to work with every Nigerian “who believes in finding and enthroning good democratic governance for this country”.
The event was attended by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra; Mulikat Akande-Adeola, a former federal lawmaker; David Mark, former senate president; Abba Moro, senate minority leader; Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto diocese; former speakers of the house of representatives Patricia Etteh and Yakubu Dogara; Eyinnaya Abaribe, a senator; and Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of housing.
Former governors present were Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun).
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