Veteran Trade Unionist Peter Esele on Friday said that the past 62 years of the Nation’s Independence had been tough, and should have been better.
Esele said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (Nigeria), Abuja, on his assessment of the country at 62.
He said that democracy like nature, renews itself, adding that another opportunity beckons for renewal, rededication, and recommitment to the country.
He, however, added that it is the choice for Nigerians during the 2023 elections to reject ethnicity and religious divides.
“Only the best person is good enough for Nigeria. This Independence celebration comes with political campaigns. Never forget to ask them what, when, where and how they will implement their programme,” he advised.
Esele noted that the road ahead maybe tough and rugged, but he still believe that with some reviews to the federation “we are better off remaining one Nigeria”.
The unionist also said that the problem with politicians was learning from the unaccountable military dictators who made bogus promises to get power.
“Unfortunately for their civilian counterparts, they failed to probe the faulty foundation and carried on with a defective inheritance.
“They concentrated on the surface structure and effectively became collaborators in taking the citizens hostage.
“Nigerians from all four corners of the north, south, east and west were only useful every four years.
“They will pay themselves grandiose salaries and live in comfort, while all others live in penury”.
He decried the situation where after 23 years of unbroken democratic dispensation, Nigeria was yet to take proper care of life essentials.
“It is unthinkable that after 23 years of unbroken democratic dispensation we haven’t being able to take care of life’s essentials like food, shelter, water, health, electricity and more. In the last 23 years, universities have been shut down cumulatively for about six years.
“Who will maintain the society when no attention is paid to education? The country is being drained of the best brains due to insecurity, corruption and injustice,” he said
