The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned that the exclusion of best brains in Nigerian politics through high nomination forms will place the country’s future in the hands of looters.
The warning was sounded in the June 12 message of the University of Ibadan chapter of the union and signed by its Chairman, Professor Ayoola Akinwole.
According to Prof. Akinwole, “it is a strategy of handing over the country to those individuals who have looted the country in the past. If this practice goes unchallenged, Nigerians are in for not just another regime of poor governance but that of extreme corruption and looting.”
In his calculation, the ASUU boss stated further that it would take a Nigerian Professor who earns N416,000 per month but saves 20 percent of his salary over 100 years to be able to purchase presidential nomination form of the ruling party and over 40 years to buy the form of the main opposition party.
Professor Akinwole also remarked that the 23 years of return of democracy had been characterised by “leadership of empty promises and dashed hopes.”
“Given the level of prevailing level of corruption and loss of hope in the future, political leaders in Nigeria have shown lack of willingness and capacity to protect lives and property, and have successfully failed in promoting productive activities that can boost the Nigerian economy,” he added.
He noted that nothing would change except the country would allow equitable distribution of wealth and access to quality education, health and security.
“Until we improve our economic situation democracy will not prosper. The only antidote to this is to have large percentage of middle class sufficient to support democracy. Build public institutions instead of giving money to people. No amount of money freely given will ever eradicate poverty in Nigeria,” the ASUU chairman said.
ASUU urged the ruling elite “to shun corruption, greed and primitive accumulation as well as desist from fanning embers and cinders of disunity and violence.”
Professor Akinwole advised governments at all levels to provide basic social infrastructure and employment opportunities in order to reduce poverty and crime.
