Former Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Mr. Clarence Olafemi, has accused Nigerian leaders of bastardising the nation’s democracy.
This, he said, was responsible for the problems in many of the country’s political parties.
Olafemi, spoke in Ilorin on Wednesday at a lecture orgainised by the state Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists.
He said, “What we have today is that a few individuals and those in power like the governors are actually bastardising democracy in Nigeria. That is why we are having crisis in every party. They should play according to the rule of the game. Political leaders are bastardising Nigeria’s democracy. There is no augment about that.
“What is a threat to the Peoples Democratic Party is its internal democracy that is becoming corrosive and acidic. People will win primaries and somebody will go to Abuja and change it.”
The incumbent Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Razak Atunwa, said journalists were strategic partners in the growth and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
He warned that the wrangling in the PDP, if not well handled, could escalate the problems in the party.
