President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Ibadan lambasted some former National Democratic Coalition leaders in the South-West, describing them as hypocrites.
Speaking at the presidential campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party at Mapo Hill, Ibadan, Jonathan, who did not name names, said the actions of some of the active participants could not be justified with what they once professed.
The President, who arrived at the venue of the campaign at around 12.50pm after paying homage to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, had on his entourage the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu; members of the National Working Committee of the party; Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko; and members of the National Assembly.
Also present were the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh; Director-General of the National Campaign Organisation, Ahmadu Alli; Director, Media and Publicity of the organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode; the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin; and other party stalwarts.
While calling on the South-West leaders to justify their leadership style and love for the people, Jonathan said instead of building prisons for the youths, he would build schools for them.
He said, “I did say that the South-West reminds one of the days of National Democratic Coalition. But I am convinced that some of the NADECO actors were hypocrites because they cannot justify what they are doing today.
“The South-West believes in human rights and social justice. No South-Westerner will pray that someone, going through proper trial, will be jailed for 300 years and above. If they are not hypocrites, they couldn’t be doing what they are doing today but I don’t want to go into that now. If they are not hypocrites, they will not be talking about not empowering women.
“Without education, you cannot change the people. If I did not go to school, I will not be where I am today. Every Nigerian child must have the Goodluck opportunity; that is why we are building out-of-school-children secondary schools and Almajiris schools in some parts of Nigeria.
“I will not build prison for you, but I will build schools for you.”
On the issue of corruption in government, Jonathan said his administration had tried and jailed many Nigerians but argued that it would not solve the problem.
He explained that the problem would be solved through modern technology rather than harsh method. Punch
