Connect with us

Politics

Dogara raises alarm over worsening poverty in Nigeria

Published

on

Editor  

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has.lamented  the high level of poverty in Nigeria  saying it portends danger for the country’s democracy .

Nigeria overtakes India as the poverty capital of the world with over 87 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty.

The former  Speaker urged President Bola Tinubu, state governors and all leaders to address the feeling of hopelessness and despondency among Nigerians due to worsening poverty in the country.

He said this on Saturday while delivering an address at Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, on the occasion of the institution’s 13th Convocation/16th Foundation Anniversary.

Dogara, who is the Chancellor of the university, noted that the threat poverty poses to democracy was apparent in the level of vote-buying and use of money to compromise electoral and security officials during recent elections. 

’I have said before that poverty is by far the greatest threat to our democracy,” he said.

“Those who doubted me have seen that threat manifest itself in vote buying and in the use of money to compromise electoral and security officials. 

‘’On account of the sense of despondency and powerlessness that poverty breeds amongst the poor, the poor have and will always remain ever ready tools in the hands of tyrants and demagogues, who in the course of history, have always found it easy to mobilise for the purposes of subverting democratic institutions.’’

The former Speaker challenged Tinubu, state governors and all leaders to rise up to the responsibility of their offices to eliminate poverty, starting with the twin evils of underemployment and unemployment, which he described as bedmates of poverty.

 ‘’If we don’t ever make it to the point where we can have a rational conversation about economic justice, it would not be because it’s impossible to achieve but because we lack the right leadership,” he argued .

“We have talked so much about ending so many things in Nigeria, now is the time to talk about creating wealth and ending poverty. 

‘’Permit me to also say that for all elected officials, including Mr president, who ran for something as opposed to running against someone; this is the moment they ought to be bothered because we are living in a deeply troubled democracy as nearly all Nigerian families are hurting.  

‘’Only God knows how many Nigerians go to bed hungry each night.  Although no rational individual would attribute our present deprecating decay to Tinubu’s administration which is still in its infancy but the truth is that he knew about it and promised to find solutions before assuming office.

‘’If he does not resist the temptation to continue blaming others for our national decay rather than concentrating on the solutions he promised, what would be the distinguishing mark of his Presidency because that was what other presidents before him specialised in – outsourcing the blame and never taking responsibility. 

‘’My unsolicited counsel to Mr President is to confront these challenges head on and at once for nothing can be conquered unless it is confronted.’’

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

News2 days ago

Custody Saga: I didn’t Abduct My Biological Daughter – Zaki, Bauchi Commissioner

 From Paul Orude Bauchi Bauchi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Honourable Nuhu Zaki has denied the allegation that he kidnapped...

News3 days ago

Group Petitions National Hajj Commission Over Re-instatement Of Usman Kumo

BY NAJIB SANI, GOMBE A petition has been submitted to the chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)...

News1 week ago

Sade Expresses Confidence In Minister Of Works, Umahi To Deliver Standard Service

From Paul Orude Bauchi A seasoned media consultant and public Affairs analyst, Alhaji Abdulrahman Sade, has expressed satisfaction with the...

News1 week ago

Defamation: Bauchí High Court Fixes Date For Ruling In Case Filed By ATBU Lecturer

From Paul Orude Bauchi The Bauchí State High Court 7 Presided over by Justice Lamido Kabir Umar  has fixed February...

News2 weeks ago

Bauchí Govt Approves N8 Billion For Infrastructural Projects

From Paul Orude Bauchi Bauchí State Executive Council has approved the sun of  N8.1 billion  for various infrastructural projects across...

News3 weeks ago

Bauchi Govt Purchases 10,000 Doses of Anti-Rabies Vaccines

From Paul Orude Bauchi The Bauchi State government has purchased 10,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccines to prevent rabies caused by...

News3 weeks ago

Ohaneze Election: Igbos Happy With Emergence of Senator Mbata – High Chief Okeugo, President IDA

From Paul Orude Bauchi The President of Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA), Chief Kenneth O. Okeugo JP, has described the election of ...

News3 weeks ago

You Jailed Dr Idris For Criticizing Your Policies—WikkiTimes Publisher Blasts Bauchi Governor For Intolerance Of Criticism

From Paul Orude Bauchi WikkiTimes Publisher Haruna Mohammed Salisu has lambasted Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for jailing a...

News4 weeks ago

AIG Owohunwa  Decorates Six Newly Promoted Officers

From Paul Orude Bauchi The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, AIG Idowu Owohunwa,...

News4 weeks ago

Flood Displaced 85,000 People in Bauchi in 2024 –  Red Cross  

From Paul Orude Bauchi No fewer than 85,000 people have been displaced by floods in Bauchi State in 2024 The...

Trending