Don’t compare yourselves to Obama, Mandela, Akanbi tells Nigerian political leaders

Former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practises
and other related offences Commission, Justice
Mustapha Akanbi yesterday cautioned Nigerian political
leaders to desist from comparing themselves with world
leaders on the basis that they have failed short of the
sacrifices set by such leaders.
Akanbi spoke at the annual Daily Trust dialogue just as
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral
Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, at the same
occasion reassured Nigerians that reports of the
purchase of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs by politicians
would amount to nothing as it would be a useless
venture. Jega assured that results of the forthcoming
elections would be electronically transmitted from the
spot to avoid rigging.
Former chief of army staff, Gen Abduraman Danbazau
also present at the occasion revealed the existence of
several political armies maintained by politicians for
electoral advantage.
Speaking on the occasion, Akanbi who did not mention
anybody, but adverts on President Goodluck Jonathan
on television have compared him with world leaders
such as President Barack Obama of the United States
and South Africa icon, Nelson Mandela.
"Today some people are comparing themselves with Li
Kwan Yun, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King and
Nelson Mandela."
"If youhave read about Li Kwan Yun, those who were
corrupt in his country when he decided to fight
corruption, they preferred to commit suicide than to face
Li Kwan Yew. Mandela spent 27 years in prison and yet
that man spent one term in office and decided to step
aside.
"These are people who suffered for the people. People
who did not plunder the people and when you are
making comparison to get votes you must tell the
people the truth. What did they do? Are you doing the
same thing?"
He said that Nigerian leaders failed to make necessary
sacrifices that other world leaders make and that if
Nigerian politicians were actually out to serve, "there
will be few people to compete".
He added, "The reason is that we don't make service to
the people our goal. Take Kwara for instance, for the
governorship election for one party, 14 people wanted to
be the governor and if you look at the curriculum vitae
of some of them they are not even qualified to be
messengers."
The retired justice noted that Nigerians could "make or
mar our future through this election. The die is cast. The
challenge is true. There can be no retreat, no surrender.
The history of our generation can only be the measure
and of our loyalty and devotion to the right ideals of our
nation".
Courtesy: vanguard news
Broadcast by Obele Calistus