In an interview in Abeokuta, the Cleric also commended Nigerians and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ensuring the conduct of free, fair and credible elections. He however noted that the post-election violence almost took the shine off the April polls.
He said: ?It is very unfortunate that we are witnessing various kinds of violence in this country at this particular time. There is a violence that emanates from politicians and their activities. We have seen the conduct of party primaries turning into killings and we heard of the politicians and their supporters being killed. All these acts of violence in the political arena is a confirmation that politicians are still caught up in the politics of do-or-die.
?And for me, this is because there are plenty of material gains in politics, which make those engaged in it to see it as a matter of life and death. That is also why it is important that those who will represent us at various levels of government should be professionals in their particular areas of life, they should also be people who have been successful in their careers, so that they won?t have to be in politics as a means of acquiring wealth but for the sake of making life better for the people.?
On the intractable and protracted crises in Jos, Plateau State, he said, ?what I know is that the average Nigerian is always ready to live with the person next to him or her in peace. The average Nigerian is not concerned about what religion his colleague or neighbour practices, but for some persons who for selfish reasons use religious sentiments to create confusion.
?I think that is what is going on in Plateau is also unfortunate. The people in Plateau are people who have lived together for a long time, they have always been aware that they are from different parts of the country, they know that they belong to different religious groups and are aware of their differences.
As the Seventh National Assembly settles down to business, the cleric reminded them of the discomfort of Nigerians with the huge salaries of political office holders. He said that, ?there is no doubt that political office holders are earning more than what is fair to the generality of Nigerians. Yet we have a situation where there is still so much argument about what should be the acceptable minimum wage.
?In this same country where some state governments insist they cannot afford N18,000 monthly minimum wage, it becomes very unfair to have people earn over N20 million as salaries and allowances per month. This is obscene and unacceptable. If we still go out to seek aid for infrastructure or education, it would not make sense that our political leaders earn by far more than leaders of developed countries. If our politicians earn much less, it would assist in identifying those who genuinely want to use political office to serve the people.?
According to him, the leaders should be concerned about decayed and decaying infrastructure and the provision of service. He noted that, ?even those who are not Nigerians are so much concerned that 50 years after our independence as a nation, where we are today as far as infrastructure development is concerned is worrisome. Inadequate supply of electricity has meant that most industries have closed; individuals cannot pursue their aspirations and dreams. With all the money sunk in the power sector we are still where we are.
?The neglect Nigerians are suffering at the hands of their leaders is happening because of the corruption in the system. People are paid huge sums of money for contracts, which are never executed but nobody seems to care apart from ordinary people.
He said that is from the situation of things in the country that ?people have dared to label the nation as a failed state. It is logical but I would not go so far as saying that Nigeria is a failed state. It is not. Failed states are in a worse situation than we are in now. But danger is imminent if we don?t take control right now. When people graduate from school they hope that they will live a good life and help members of their larger families. But unfortunately, people come out from universities and other higher institutions but there are no jobs for them and as a result the circle of poverty continues. The unfortunate thing is that the rich continues to be richer and the poor gets poorer. It is this sort of thing that is capable of developing a generation that will continue to create problems for the country, which could lead to failure of the state.?
He added that ?our government must begin to see a situation where they must make life better for the people; jobs must be created to save graduates from roaming the street.?
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