Chief Patrick Eholor gingered University students
Again Human Rights Activist, Chief Patrick Eholor, has sent good wishes to Nigeria on its democracy day and also commended a singular speech made by President General Muhammadu Buhari on his last June 12 democracy speech as President.
“If I had never believed anything from President Muhammadu Buhari, I believe his speech today. The President has assured us Nigerians in today’s broadcast (June democracy speech) that he also wants change and that he wants the forthcoming elections to be free and fair.
“Also the sign was clearly there during the APC primaries where you see a sitting President who have all the power in the world looking tired and exhausted. But he was determined that Nigeria must change.”
However, he noted that the dividend of democracy since its inception in 1999 has recorded little or no strides.
“The actual definition of democracy is power by the people and the majority. Unfortunately, we have been ruled by a few minorities. When I say minority, I don’t mean ethnicity, I am talking about powerful elites who have ganged up to make decisions for us. That’s why we haven’t enjoyed the dividend of true democracy.”
“For a true democracy and any great nation to rise, they must be beaten and abused. Remember the End SARS movement, we were tired of police brutality and oppression so we collectively gathered and mobilized ourselves through social media, and that what we are seeing now. “
According to him, “. We are not going to allow this money bags who stole from us to dictate to use anymore, because it is poetic justice to use people money to fight them. They have been using our money and resources to fight us. Its only in Nigeria you have a non-transparent government and see a candidate whose child is 61 years old claiming to be 70 years old. So how can we equate that. Is that not ridiculous and preposterous."
“But the time as came where the youths and students have finally said they want to participate. We are not lazy students and we will not allow ASUU strike continue. We must allow our teachers return to the class room. Then we are truly going to be practicing democracy.
“In a movement like ours we don’t have plans, what we have are students that are tired of the status quo and are venting enough is enough. That is why the movement now is inclusive of students and youths who have been denied for a very long time in participating in politics.”
“This is a force that you cannot contend with, because you are not only dealing with the students alone you are also dealing with their parents who have been denied of their gratuity.
“During the coming elections we are going to shock the whole world by holding the bull by its horn. We must be respected again as a country and get back our pride.
Regarding the qualities, he would prefer in a President, he said, “First of all, we need a father, a mentor and a leader who is credible, truthful, and honest to the students and youths, because if you cannot trust a messenger you cannot trust his message. looking at the two opposition candidate PDP and APC is there any tangible thing they have done since coming in to power.”
“We have a former Vice-President who have rarely lived in this country before, it is either he is in Dubai or England lavishing life with his family. “
“Another who owns the whole of Lagos and the richest landlord in west African who is supposed to retire and rest peacefully is coming back here to struggle to be a President.”
“The reason we haven’t gotten it right is because of our myopic blindness and money given to us to buy our conscience. Now we don’t need their money and even if we collect the money we are going to vote for the right person. This is what the students and youths are looking for. We are tired of our students staying at home engaging in prostitution and hard drugs because of frustration and ASUU strike. “
Again addressing the President speech, he said,
“Although, President Buhari administration was rubbished by people who were overzealous, uncontended and poor spirited individuals who doesn’t have Nigerians in mind. The President cannot wait for 7 months to be over to hand over the mantle of leadership to a responsible President that truly has the people at heart.”
Happily, he added that “The narrative will change come 2023 because I will be interviewed again celebrating our new President. Go and note that.”