Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has expressed disappointment over the 2019 general elections.
He condemned the conduct of politicians, adding that the nation’s “weak institutions” must be strengthened.
Adams spoke yesterday at the 2019 edition of Eledumare Festival in Lagos.
He said: “When the journey for democracy began in 1999, we believed there were hopes for Nigeria and took the risk.
“The long years of the military was our poor past and all that we wanted then was democracy.But sadly, our democracy today is gradually becoming a different thing entirely.
“I think one of the problems of this country is the weak institution. No free health services, no welfare packages for the poor and the old as it is done in the developed world.
“In Nigeria, little children that are going to school are usually traumatized on daily basis, yet we churn out graduates across all our universities every year, only for many of them to face the raging unemployment and societal stigma.
“For instance, nothing exemplifies the utter chaos, the seemingly irreversible entropy that has percolated the very being of the entity called Nigeria over the years than the attitudes of our politicians.
“If you want to know why Nigeria has never worked, just take a look at the attitudes of our politicians, especially, before, during and after the just concluded general elections. Their attitudes present a perfect picture of what a democracy should never be.
“They illustrate the absolute befuddlement that Nigeria has descended into. It is sad that after 20 years of an uninterrupted democracy, our political class are yet to learn their lessons that the voice of the people is the voice of God.
“In an ideal world, democracy offers the best opportunity for people to choose their leaders. Leaders who are ready to serve. Leaders that have the interest of the country at heart; leaders who are ready to build strong institutions for Nigeria to attain its potentials.
“As Nigerians, we must set forth a future we want not only for ourselves, but for the generations yet unborn. So that the future of our children, and that of the next generation can be secured and guaranteed.”
Speaking on the festival, Adams said the idea was borne out of the desire to promote the heritage and the cultural identity of the Yoruba race and to also provide the best platform for the restoration of lost glory.
