As Nigeria on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 marked its 25th year of unbroken democracy anniversary, the former Federal lawmaker who represented Ondo East and West Federal Constituency in the 7th and 8th Assembly, Hon. (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja said the attainment of the country’s latest feat, is due to the sacrifices of Nigerian heroes and nationalists.
The foremost unionist who was the former General Secretary of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and former Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress under Adams Oshiomhole also urged Nigerians to always consider the nation first in whatever they do to strengthen its unity, integrity, progress and as well promote peace.
He used the occasion to call on all citizens to have an attitudinal rebirth for the country to move forward, saying the Nigerians’ patriotism level and value system have embarrassingly dropped, noting that the endemic corruption and bribery in the country have exacerbated the country’s woes while also blaming both the leaders and led for their action and inaction.
The political juggernaut also berated the Nigerian masses for not having a history of patriotism, a type which was ingrained in the DNA of the Ghanaians by their leaders, such as Dr Osagiefo Kwame Nkruma and Jerry John rawlings. He maintained that the majority of Ghanaians had disdain for corruption and could afford to vote against bribery on election day.
In a statement he made available to newsmen, including VERACITY DESK, (veracitydesk.com.ng) Akinlaja profoundly said who will bell the cat?
“Huuuun unfortunately the Patriotism ingrained in the DNA of the Ghanaians by their leader Dr Osagiefo Kwame Nkruma followed by Flt Lt Jerry Rawlings is absent in Nigerians therefore the majority of Ghanaians hate corruption and can afford to vote against bribery on election day.
“But in Nigeria we do not have such history.
“Our leaders control us through inducement of different forms. Yorubas of my youth grew up to know bribe as (OWO EYIN) i.e. back money, because it is a shameful thing to do. But now it is (OWO IWAJU) i.e front money. People now solicit for bribe openly something like you never settle me o. Or show me love or shakebody or money for mark in schools, POCKETISM (policy of what is in it for me) INSTEAD OF PATRIOTISM. Contracts inflation etc.
“With weaponisation of poverty in the land and very huge free money in the hands of few people controlling the economy and without Patriotism in our DNA how can we vote like Ghanaians without accepting money for vote. The day we can in majority say CAPITAL NO—-TO HELL WITH MONEY FOR VOTE THAT DAY WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO POLITICAL SALVATION IN NIGERIA. POSER: WHO WILL BELL THE CAT?”