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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has traced under development in Nigeria to party loyalty by elected politicians and political appointees.
Onuesoke who made this statement in his New Year message to Nigerians, said excessive loyalty to a ruling political party is responsible for corruption and bad leadership, adding that political party appointees cannot advice the ruling government if it is going wrong for the fear of losing their appointments or offending those in charge.
He pointed out that some people will rather vote for an inanimate object than to vote for an opposition candidate because of party loyalty.
“Do you think it is the best thing for these states? No; because even though most politicians are cut from the same cloth and are definitely the same – whether in party A or B . I still strongly believe that a healthy opposition will keep any government on its toes working for the betterment of her people. This is based on the condition that politicians are judged strictly on their performance and not because people are just loyal to their party,” he argued.
The PDP Chieftain said it is unfortunate that loyal political appointees cannot embark on checks and balances because his appointment came from the ruling political party.
“Every opportunist who find themselves in position of authority have to embezzle billions of naira that would have been used to build good roads, provide good health care system, provide good and qualitative education, provide infrastructure and create employment for the unemployed youths to service and maintain party leaders and structures,” he alleged.
According to him, lack of loyalty to the course of a brighter Nigeria has continue to weaken government institutions most especially the military in combating terrorism and other societal vices and the civil service in contributing to the high rate of corruption in our dear country “Nigeria” due to their disloyal to the country but by being loyal to some set of people and their stomach.
He explained that loyalty is about been faithful and committed to a said obligation/task without any doubt of individual interest or allowing an individual interest supersede the obligation and objective task.
“If we are loyal to Nigeria as a country, we will be more interested on how there will be constant power supply, good roads, good health care system, jobs for the unemployed and respect for the rule of law among others rather than embezzling tax payers money for selfish personal interest.
“The interest of Nigeria and those who elect us should always be our priority and not the political party that gave us the platform to emerge. If all Nigerians are loyal to our dear country and most especially our politicians and leaders are loyal to the electorate by fulfilling all the promises they made during the electoral campaign, Nigeria will be a better place to live in,” he stated.
Onuesoke advised that if there must be meaningful development in Nigeria, both elected and political appointees must be given room to advice executives and legislatures on the way forward towards development of the local, state and federal government without fear or favour.
