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Tomori To Politicians: Rather Than Steal, Resign If Your Constituents Place Outrageous Demands

According to him, both leaders and followers have exclusive roles to play to restore the glory of Nigeria among the comity of nations.


Professor Oyewale Tomori was on Inside Sources on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

 

Elder statesman and professor of Virology, Oyewale Tomori, says politicians using the numerous financial demands of their constituents as justification for fat salaries and allowances can do better.

He said rather than purloining government coffers to meet the seeming outrageous demands of their constituents, such politicians should rather resign and not be put under pressure to indulge in sharp practices.

The elder statesman was a guest on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

According to him, both leaders and followers have exclusive roles to play to restore the glory of Nigeria among the comity of nations.

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“In those days, we had people to look up to. Who wants to be like these leaders today? Today, we see them corrupt. I can’t tell my grandchildren to be like them. Leadership is important. When we have good leadership, there will be good followers,” the 78-year-old said.

“I heard of a politician who came out one day and said he was interested in serving his people but when he became a leader, they (his followers) came in and asked him (for money). He said he gave them N10,000 (each). And they told him it was too small.

“I said: Stop deceiving yourself. You wanted to be a thief, to start with. If at the beginning, you want to serve, then there is the opportunity for you. But if people force you, then you resign. You don’t have to succumb to the whims of people if you aren’t willing. That’s where the individual becomes important.”

Tomori deplored the loss of value in Nigerian society which he said is glaring in the decoration of corrupt persons. “When a thief comes back and becomes a chief, then there is a problem. We see thieves being granted pardon,” he lamented.

Nigeria Heading For An Abyss?

According to him, the reform Nigeria needs is more individualistic than territorial because the same people will operate them whether federal or regional units.

Regrettably, he said that society has transformed religious houses so it is difficult for them to transform the society. He said churches and mosques have been overtaken by the society and this has made it nearly impossible for change to emanate from religious houses.

Tomori said if care is not taken, Nigeria is heading for an abyss, with the rot in education, health, security, and the economy.

He said it was not COVID-19 that destroyed the Nigerian economy “we destroyed our economy ourselves” through wrong policies.

Tomori criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for not leading by example amid the harsh economic situation in the country.

He said, “They told us to wait that things will get better but it’s a bit difficult to believe that. Hope should be the last thing to die in us but in terms of what we are seeing, one is not encouraged.

“If you tell me to cut your coat according to your size, you don’t go and buy another coat for yourself. That is where leadership comes in. We are hearing about tightening but we are not seeing it.”