The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Smart Adeyemi has submitted that Nigeria fared better during the military era compared to the current democracy.
The Senator argued that this is because undeserving people have found their way into leadership positions in the country.
He argued that this development has painted Nigeria’s democracy in a bad light as some politicians have bastardized the entire process and structure.
He made his declaration while contributing to “a bill for an Act to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission and for Other Related matters.”
The Senator noted that such bad politicians in both the executive and legislative arms of government have embezzled public funds and instituted bad governance.
In his words, Adeyemi said: “Mr. President, when people of questionable character become leaders, then what is the future of that country. In fact, I am compelled to say, military era is better than Nigeria’s democracy currently.
“When you talk about maladministration and misappropriation of public funds, it emanates from people who have criminal records, people who have no background were elected or forced themselves into power.
“Mr. President, this is one of the best bills that we must all support.
“We are living witnesses to bad governance and bad representation in parliament. We must support this bill to bring good people into power, not charlatans, not ragamuffin.
“People who have criminal records come to the National Assembly to make laws.
However, the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan was quick to counter the submission by Adeyemi, noting that Nigeria is better under a democratic process.
The Senate President noted further that the Kogi lawmaker made the assertion in his personal capacity and doesn’t represent the general view of the Senate.
“The position of this chambers is that democracy is better than military era and Senator Adeyemi is entitled to his opinion”, Lawan noted in his reaction.
