TheCitizen - It's all about you
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
TheCitizen - It's all about you
No Result
View All Result

Independence: Nigeria missed her way thrice – Edebiri

The Citizen by The Citizen
October 3 2015
in The Citizen Interview, Uncategorized
A A
0
22
SHARES
734
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Chief David Edebiri is the Esogban of Benin Kingdom and chairman Benin Forum, the umbrella body of all Binis both in the country and in the Diaspora. He was a staunch member of the Zikist Movement between 1946-50 before he joined the Action Group in 1958. He was appointed the administrative secretary of the AG in the Midwest region.

In this interview, Edebiri, who is popularly referred to as the ‘Oracle of Benin Kingdom’ regretted that 55 years after independence, the nation has found itself in a political quagmire until the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari.

His words: “It is true that our nationhood is 55 years old, which is still young in the life of any nation. All the same, it was the expectation of most Nigerians at Independence that this country will move forward and will copy the best of democracy from our masters, the British people. But somewhere along the line, we missed the point on three occasions.

First at Independence, people who did not canvass for freedom during the Independence suddenly found themselves holding political power, meanwhile they did not canvass for it. The people who came to power at Independence worked against achieving independence at that time.

As a result the country was denied the services of a crop of nationalists and politicians who devoted their entire life to the freedom of this country. Sadly enough, three years into our Independence the new people in the saddle without any convincing reason suddenly changed from our traditional way of democratic practice, which is the Westminster pattern of government that we had practised for over 100 years, they suddenly changed and adopted the Presidential system being practised in America.

“The people who adopted this system were not used to its practices, the result was that what was practised in Nigeria was neither the American type of presidential system nor a truly Nigerian pattern. This hastened the demise of what we refer to as the First Republic, when some elements in the military struck in 1966, to dismantle the existing structure.

It is expected that the young military officers who staged the coup of 1966 had some idea of what they wanted to achieve but they were short changed and a new crop of military leaders emerged. This leaders of the military headed by Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi did not plan for any participation in civilian democracy, so Ironsi attempted to foist on the country unitary form of dictatorship.

 

This again was another place where we missed it. Those who conceived the idea of a military revolution were not the people who came to the saddle. Again, Ironsi’s idea of foisting a unitary form of government in the country led to the early demise of his regime when he was toppled in a violent coup by the same military. This led to a long period of military dictatorship during which the country failed to move forward.

 

“Again, after a very long time of military rulership in the country patriotic nationalists all over the country got together to wrestle the military and finally got democracy in 1999. This again was another point where we missed it. The civilian government that emerged in 1999 was headed by a party that was predominantly controlled by military leaders. As matter of fact, the PDP that took power in 1999 was controlled by military dictators. Again we missed it.

“I want to say now that the first and truly government of the people of Nigeria is the one installed through the people’s revolution in an election held on the March 28 and April 11, 2015. From the pattern of vote, it can be seen by anybody who wants to know that the government that emerged from this two elections is the government of the people of Nigeria.

I have high hopes for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari because four months into the government he has shown a lot of political will to rule the country under democratic setting. I want to appeal to all my compatriots to give Buhari the chance to rule the nation so that this country can progress. Otherwise, the movement so far, 55 years after Independence is nothing to write home about.

55 years after we are still largely dependent on other nations in respect of our economy. Any nation that is not economically independent cannot claim to be independent. I advise those in the saddle now to learn from the mistakes of past leaders. “I will like to call on President Buhari, after clearing the mess of previous administration, it is my advise that he should pay posthumous’ respect and recognition to those already recognized by the country as founding fathers of modern Nigeria.

If you go to Ghana, you will see that the burial place of the late Kwame Nkrumah is now a tourist haven in the heart of Accra. One of the rulers of Ghana exhumed the body from where it was buried and brought him to the city centre and gave him a very conspicuous and responsible burial that today people go there as tourist attraction.

The present Government headed by Buhari can also do a similar thing to Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmedu Bello, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Aminu Kano and others. The Federal Government can make the burial sites of these heroes tourist centres. – Culled from Vanguard.

Share9Tweet6
Previous Post

U-17: Amuneke unveils Eaglets’ pre-World Cup squad

Next Post

Why Plantashun Boiz reunion failed –Faze

Related Posts

I contemplated suicide after DNA test revealed I’m not my father’s son – Ememobong Nyong
The Citizen Interview

I contemplated suicide after DNA test revealed I’m not my father’s son – Ememobong Nyong

September 16 2025
Why I left Nigeria to lead public health in US – Idaho varsity prof, Nnamdi Moeteke
The Citizen Interview

Why I left Nigeria to lead public health in US – Idaho varsity prof, Nnamdi Moeteke

July 27 2025
M.K.O: 66 Abiola’s ‘children’ failed DNA test, says Olalekan Abiola
The Citizen Interview

M.K.O: 66 Abiola’s ‘children’ failed DNA test, says Olalekan Abiola

June 29 2025
How border policemen raped us en route to Libya – Returnee
The Citizen Interview

How border policemen raped us en route to Libya – Returnee

June 28 2025
You can’t give students loans in a broken economy — ASUU President, Piwuna
The Citizen Interview

You can’t give students loans in a broken economy — ASUU President, Piwuna

June 1 2025
Nigeria one step away from authoritarian state – Politics don, Prof. Jinadu
The Citizen Interview

Nigeria one step away from authoritarian state – Politics don, Prof. Jinadu

May 11 2025
Next Post

Why Plantashun Boiz reunion failed –Faze

What fame has done for me — Hilda Dokubo

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FROM THE GRASSROOTS

Rivers court adjourns hearing on LG poll legitimacy

Rivers court adjourns hearing on LG poll legitimacy

by The Editor
September 16 2025
0

...

Osun households get free food items

Osun League of Imams & Alfas urges Tinubu to intervene in LG withheld funds

by The Editor
August 27 2025
0

...

Withheld allocations: Osun State drags FG to Supreme Court

Withheld allocations: Osun State drags FG to Supreme Court

by The Editor
August 27 2025
0

...

APC begins campaigns for Rivers LG election

APC begins campaigns for Rivers LG election

by The Editor
August 14 2025
0

...

APPOINTMENTS

Benue govt threatens sanctions over unauthorised governor’s portrait

Benue Assembly okays Alia’s request for 10 more special advisers

by The Editor
September 18 2025
0

...

Cross River gets new head of service

Cross River gets new head of service

by The Editor
September 17 2025
0

...

Police IG appoints Lagos PPRO, CSP Hundeyin, as new Force PRO

Police IG appoints Lagos PPRO, CSP Hundeyin, as new Force PRO

by The Editor
September 5 2025
0

...

NNPC Limited appoints new Corporate Communications, Relations Chiefs

NNPC Limited appoints new Corporate Communications, Relations Chiefs

by The Editor
September 3 2025
0

...

ODDITIES

Police clear Pastor Adefarasin of viral firearm allegation

Police clear Pastor Adefarasin of viral firearm allegation

by The Editor
September 17 2025
0

Japanese political party to install AI leader

Japanese political party to install AI leader

by The Editor
September 16 2025
0

Three patients die at AKTH as KEDCO cuts power over debt

Three patients die at AKTH as KEDCO cuts power over debt

by The Editor
September 16 2025
0

GLOBAL NEWS

Madagascar President fires government after Gen-Z protests

Madagascar President fires government after Gen-Z protests

by The Editor
September 30 2025
0

...

US gunman kills one, sets fire to Mormon Church

US gunman kills one, sets fire to Mormon Church

by The Editor
September 28 2025
0

...

Ebola death toll in Congo hits 502

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo claims 15 lives

by The Editor
September 18 2025
0

...

Ukraine: Putin has let me down, says Trump as UK visit ends

Ukraine: Putin has let me down, says Trump as UK visit ends

by The Editor
September 18 2025
0

...

EU proposes sanctions against Israel

EU proposes sanctions against Israel

by The Editor
September 17 2025
0

...

State of the States

Senator denies bill to rename Kaduna to Zazzau State

Kaduna State pays ₦72,000 minimum wage

by The Editor
September 18 2025
0

...

Gov. Mbah designates Udi, Nkanu West, Nkanu East, Nsukka LGAs as urban areas

Miyetti Allah commends Enugu Govt over peaceful intervention in herders’ attack

by The Editor
September 16 2025
0

...

Land dispute claims 100 lives in Ebonyi communities

Ebonyi govt bans graduation ceremonies for nursery, primary schools

by The Editor
September 5 2025
0

...

Gov. Mbah revamps, upgrades Nigergas after 30-year dormancy

Gov. Mbah revamps, upgrades Nigergas after 30-year dormancy

by The Editor
August 29 2025
0

...

Plugin Install : Widget Tab Post needs JNews - View Counter to be installed
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Judgments on election matters turning Nigeria’s democracy upside down – Jonathan

Nigeria @ 65: Jonathan urges Nigerians not to lose hope

October 1 2025
Kwara will not be haven for bandits – AbdulRazaq

Kwara will not be haven for bandits – AbdulRazaq

October 1 2025
Armed robbers kill ARISE TV anchor in Abuja

Doctors tried to resuscitate her, FCT CP speaks on Arise TV anchor’s death

October 1 2025
Supreme Court affirms Mbah as Enugu State Governor

Nigeria @ 65: Enugu gov urges optimism, unity

October 1 2025

EDITORIAL REVIEW

To make the Fourth Mainland Bridge dream come true – Guardian

To make the Fourth Mainland Bridge dream come true – Guardian

by The Editor
September 30 2025
0

Resolve pensioners’ agitation – Punch

Resolve pensioners’ agitation – Punch

by The Editor
September 30 2025
0

Africa is ripe for UN Security Council seats – Punch

Africa is ripe for UN Security Council seats – Punch

by The Editor
September 29 2025
0

Amnesty Int’l damning report on South-East killings – The Sun

Amnesty Int’l damning report on South-East killings – The Sun

by The Editor
September 18 2025
0

Sen. Natasha debunks forged apology, vows to expose political oppression

End the Natasha impasse – Punch

by The Editor
September 18 2025
0

Opinion

1975 public service purge: What have we learnt?

1975 public service purge: What have we learnt?

by The Editor
September 30 2025
0

...

Tinubu finds his own demons

Nigeria’s state of weakness

by The Editor
September 18 2025
0

...

#ENDSARS: A wakeup call for Nigerian media

Passport hikes and burden of multiple means of identification crisis in Nigeria

by The Editor
September 16 2025
0

...

China is redefining global order

China is redefining global order

by The Editor
September 16 2025
0

...

Plugin Install : Popular Post Widget need JNews - View Counter to be installed
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2024 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2024 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.