In the buildup to the 2023 general elections, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Muhammed Abba-Gana, has called on Nigerians to ensure that politicians of good character, high values and morals are elected at all levels on February 25 and March 11.
Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 25 while governorship and House of Assembly elections will hold on March 11.
In an open letter to Nigerians with the title ‘A statement to the Political Class’, Abba-Gana, an engineer, declared that ‘unless and until we, as a people get our politics right, we cannot get all the other things we need/want right’.
In the six-paragraph letter, he reiterated the urgent need to re-examine how politics is practised in Nigeria.
To him, “we must consciously and deliberately change our attitude to politics, government, religion, ethnicity, business, regionalism, work, culture and tradition”
He said: “In Nigeria, our vision and aspiration should be that our politics and political leaders should/must bring peace, unity, security, happiness, lasting prosperity and development to all our diverse hardworking, obedient and patriotic citizens.
“Again in Nigeria, we must urgently re-examine our politics. Our politics should be without bitterness, hatred, anger, greed, injustice, unfairness and oppression and be truly and sincerely be our brothers’ keepers as commanded by our Creator God, the Almighty and All-Knowing. Our politics should also be with love for all citizens of Nigeria, tolerance for all and denial to none/nobody.
“As part and parcel of getting our politics right, we must consciously and deliberately change our attitude to politics, government, religion, ethnicity, business, regionalism, work, culture and tradition. We should retain the good aspect of our culture/tradition and continue with innovation and improvement.
“Also, we urgently need very serious and sustained moral rearmament. With social media breaking into all systems, cultures and traditions, our grandchildren will have ICT culture and tradition and even language.
“No society of humans without ethical values, morals of behaviour and character will inherit the earth because shaytan, satan or the devil will not allow them. Materialism will also cheer them along the wrong path. So, let us start to develop good character, high values and morals as ethical system.
“India, China and Japan used science and technology to improve and develop their society but they retained their age old values, culture and tradition. Here in Nigeria, we destroy our good cultures/traditions and import bad ones.
“We can have the best constitution and good restructuring, good laws and regulations and institutions but if we retain our bad habits and attitude to politics, government, religion, ethnicity, business etc, we can hardly make progress, bring prosperity, development, security, peace and unity to our people.
“So, let us elect, at all levels of government, people of good character, high values and morals, proven competence, wisdom and with fear of God, our Creator and Sustainer. Show your mercy on us Nigerians, O God, Amin.
“Finally, therefore for us Nigerian people to get our politics right is a task that must be done. This is because unless and until we, as a people get our politics right, we cannot get all the other things we need/want right.
“So, let all of us, Nigerians, pray to God the Almighty and All-Knowing, our Creator and Sustainer, to help us because He is merciful, to get our politics right in these our trying and difficult times, Amin.
Engineer Muhammed Abba-Gana, CON
Former FCT Minister.
