“Since 1999, Governors Have Been The Problem Of The Country” – Ghali Na’abba

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba, has said state governors have been causing serious damage to Nigeria’s democracy since 1999.

He argued that the actions of the state governors are not just a threat to the nation’s democracy, but also destroying party politics.

Na’abba alleged that the Governors have become greedy and want to be in charge of everything happening in the party.

In his words, rather than allow the growth of internal democracy, the Governors just want to share positions among their loyalists, thereby jeopardizing competency.

Naija News understands Na’abba made the submission at his residence in Kano when he received a delegation of the Na’abba Youth Organization, on a courtesy visit.

According to him, Nigeria must practice inclusive democracy for the right leaders to emerge.

He said, “Since 1999 governors have been the problem of the country. They contributed to the death of democracy within the political parties. And when there are no elections within the parties, then incompetent leaders will emerge and that will affect the whole political system and the country’s development too. The governors have caused all these. They will hardly hold primaries. Rather they will ask you to go for consensus; which is wrong.

“If we really want to see changes in the country, we must change our democracy and give equal chances to all. Give chances for elections within parties so that the masses and the rich will have roles to play. Only that can bring changes. Not what they (governors) are doing. That will not lead us anywhere. Rather it will deteriorate the situation of the country.”

Why I Dumped APC For PDP

Speaking further, the former Speaker explained that he dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the APC was not doing the right thing.

“When I realised that APC is not doing the right thing, I stepped aside. Later I was contacted by some of my associates to go back to where I belong; that was why I returned to PDP,” he said.