Former Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has attributed Nigeria’s underdevelopment to the rejection of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as president, describing him as the leader who could have transformed the nation.
Speaking during a radio programme in Ibadan, Shittu, who is the current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, said Nigerians turned down the “angel” God sent to lay a solid foundation for the country’s greatness.
According to him, “The only angel God sent to Nigeria to arrange it properly — to lay a solid foundation and build an enduring edifice — was Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He remains the best politician and political leader the nation ever had. Assuming he had the opportunity to replicate what he did in the South West across the North and the entire country, and successive leaders had built on that foundation, Nigeria would have been far better today.”
Shittu urged Nigeria’s political leaders to study Awolowo’s political ideology and philosophy, emphasizing that free education, one of Awolowo’s major policies, is still achievable in Nigeria.
He argued that the country is wealthy enough to fund quality education at no cost to citizens, noting that no educated individual would willingly become a terrorist or armed robber.
“The security problems in the North are largely due to the high rate of illiteracy,” he said.
The seasoned politician, who was elected into the Oyo State House of Assembly in 1979 at the age of 26, also lamented the absence of a strong opposition in the country’s political space.
He stressed that an active opposition is crucial for holding those in power accountable and ensuring good governance.
“The role of the opposition is to keep the government on its toes, draw attention to their wrongdoings, and point out areas that need improvement,” Shittu said.
He further called on all political parties to establish formal opposition committees dedicated to monitoring and evaluating the performance of those in government.
