BY LINUS CHIBUIKE
GOVERNOR Abubakar Bello of Niger State has described civilians who took over from the Military government as incompetent.
Bello said when the Military decided to allow civilians take over in 1999, a lot of competent people did not believe in the process, which allowed the system to be manipulated by those he described as incompetent people.
He made these views public at a Youth Summit, organised by Shina Peller, a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman Board of Trustees of Lead Generation Initiative, in Abuja on Thursday.
The governor therefore said Nigeria’s problems began 22 years ago as a result of incompetent people taking over, adding that those leaders also accumulated a lot of wealth.
Other people present at the event were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who delivered a keynote address; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare; and Executive Director of LGI, Mrs Ayobola Peller; among others.
The Gowernor said, “Maybe the best way for us to understand challenges affecting leadership in Nigeria, is to let me share my experience with you, as Governor. I was sworn in at the age of 48. Within one month, I knew I was lost about who a governor is.
“The mistake in my own opinion, started in 1999 when the military decided to bow out and allow civilians to take over. A lot of competent people did not believe in the process, so they stood back, and watched.
“Before we realised it, the system was manipulated by incompetent people. For them(who took power from the military), occupying political offices, was business and they accumulated a lot of wealth.”
He therefore advised educated youth in the country to aspire for leadership at the grassroots.
“The position of a councillor or ward leader is fundamental and also very important for the development of the country,” he said.
