Politicians are selfish, says cleric

POLITICAL office leaders care only about their personal interests and are therefore responsible for many of the nation's woes.

These were the views of Rev. Titus Oyeyemi, President of African Foundation for Peace and Love Initiatives (AFPLI), at a media briefing on Tuesday.

Oyeyemi said: " Those who are in leadership positions in the country have no interest in leading the nation out of darkness. Instead, they are bent on plunging the nation into the abyss.

"They think that if Nigeria fails, their ill-gotten wealth and riches will deliver them. By their actions, leaders in the 6th Republic do not deserve to be called Nigerians because they wallow in selfishness, greed, covetousness and corruption."

The cleric reminded politicians of the past they had enjoyed and charged them to provide the necessities of life to citizens.

"There were no incessant power failures, prolonged teachers' strikes and dilapidated classrooms during their days. Food was in abundance, roads were good, economic and statistical data were reliable and funds were available to pay scholarships. Now that it is their turn to provide leadership for the country, they begin to squander opportunities, mismanage resources. They have constituted themselves as hindrances for posterity."

Stating the goal of the organisation as being a mission to nurture nation builders, Oyeyemi said the task to chart a new direction for the country was one that needed to be done.