Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has tasked a Non Governmental Organisation Save Democracy Group Africa  (SDGA) to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his on-going war against corruption in Nigeria, saying that if the tradition of corruption had continued, Nigeria would have been doomed.

He gave the advice while playing host to the leadership of Save Democracy Group Africa (SDG-Africa) who visited him at the Government House, Benin City, Friday,

Governor Oshiomhole said, “There will never be enough to meet the greed of leaders, but if you manage well, there will be enough to meet the basic needs of the people. And if that is all we try to do in Edo, I believe the evidence is all over the place. This is the way to save democracy. If somebody comes today and says he wants to replace a government that is doing these things with one lieutenant, the people will lead.”

According to him, “For me, the challenge of the elite today is to ensure that democracy works for the people, which is why what President Buhari is doing, you need to support it. And why do you need to support it? If the system continues to suffer from such bleeding, reflect on the fact that money appropriated to fight terrorists, people who threatened to undermine our own way of life, our right to freedom of worship, people who burnt churches, they killed Muslims as much as they killed Christians and burned churches and mosques, the money appropriated to protect the country, and generals are sharing their own and putting them in soak away pits and farm houses; the politicians are taking the rest to share to their party members. If that tradition had continued, Nigeria was doomed”

He continued, “Today, for the first time, Generals are accounting the way politicians are accounting, the way governors are accounting and ministers are accounting. So, the era of impunity is gone. So, all of us who love democracy, if people are not learning lessons now, then such persons will never learn lessons, we now know that one day what is covered today could be opened. So, we need to support the war against corruption because it is worth to save democracy, because if democracy just means that you get elected and you pocked everything, nobody is going to defend it. So, we are happy that something is going on in Abuja.”
“People are singing from left to right like witches and wizards, how they shared money and the judiciary is busy, and lawyers, both defense and prosecutors, they are busy. Nobody now argues that there is immunity or impunity in Nigeria. If you have immunity while in office, you don’t have it after you leave office. So, knowing your role as save democracy group, to save democracy, we need to support the President in the fight against corruption which undermines our collective welfare and security,” the Governor said.

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Speaking earlier, the Acting Chairman, Save Democracy Group Africa (SDG-Africa) and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali N’Abba who was represented on the occasion by Comrade Peace Obiajulu, expressed delight at the enormous development they have witnessed in Edo State.

He said, “We are indeed very happy to be here today to acknowledge the enormous changes that have taken place in Edo State since you assumed office as the Executive Governor of this state nearly eight years ago. Congratulations. Nigerians shall not forget in a hurry your indelible contributions to the stabilization of Nigerian democracy,both as the leader of organized labour and as Governor of Edo State. That you were able to manage Edo State as the only opposition governor from the South-South geopolitical zone under the former administration, and also being able to stand on your feet when you and your colleagues felt it is time to have a change to retrieve Nigeria from the years of locusts shows how diligent and steadfast you are to further Nigeria’s democratic ideals, irrespective of whose ox is gored. As you attempt to bring the state strongly, we congratulate you and hope that posterity shall ever remember you.”

He continued, “Your Excellency, as your tenure winds down in Edo State, we once again congratulate you and commend you on your landmark achievements as Governor of Edo State, and we look forward to inviting you to join the Save Democracy Group Africa when you eventually finish your call of duty in Edo State.”

Hon. N’ Abba said, “The Nelson Mandela international round table on political development in Africa which you have graciously approved to be the chairman of the occasion is to take place in Nigeria from the 22nd to 23rd August, 2016 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. It immortalizes Mandeba and ensures that he continues to live in our hearts. It expounds on the need for the political class in Africa to change their concept and perception of leadership, promote principles of peace, forgiveness, good and transparent governance and respect for constitutional time limit. It is, therefore, a platform for development of hybrid ideas for African democracy.”

High point was the presentation of a plaque and book by the Save Democracy Group Africa to Governor Adams Oshiomhole in appreciation of his democratic leadership in Africa.