A legal practitioner, Idris Faro, on Monday said Nigerians are fed up with sweet words from politicians and stressed the need for public office holders to back their words with positive action.
Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, Mr Faro said “it is good for Nigerians to be optimistic” despite the many years politicians have failed them because “being pessimistic will not better their lot.”
“Sweet words from politicians do not suffice,” he said adding that “they (politicians) need to do more than saying sweet words and there must be positive action towards the deliverance of social amenities for Nigerians.”
He added that: “it is important for those who are in authority to do the primary purpose for which they are in government. It is not enough for them to tell us sweet words, (they would do this, they would do that). There must be positive action towards the deliverance of these amenities.”
He also averred that the citizenry are not doing enough in terms of holding public officers accountable to the trust given them. “We need to question them,” he said, and added that “people must continue to question them and demand for positive results in governance.”
Furthermore, he noted that civil societies, religious associations, pressure groups must ensure that their activities are in tandem with the provision of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of the state policy under chapter two of the constitution.
Over the years, politicians have used pittance to hold the poor folks spellbound in an effort not to be held accountable for their actions and inactions. However, Mr Faro averred that the burden lies on “those who do not need the pittance must do all they can to ensure that politicians are held accountable to the people.”
He added that “it is true that the structure of the country is fundamentally flawed but before we restructure the country we must sustain the effort to hold politicians accountable to the people.”
Asked what medium the people can employ in seeking answers to questions they have about the activities of government, Mr Faro said non-violent rallies at government offices are legal. Citizens can also take advantage of the several fora in the society as well as question government representatives who visit their communities. He also tasked religious leaders in whose places of worship government officials fellowship. “They must continue to question these people when they go to Churches and Mosques to worship,” he said.
