Attitudinal change only panacea for Nigeria’s challenges, not electoral reform-Lagos traditional ruler

The traditional ruler of Otumara Community in the Lagos Mainland Local Government of the State, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye has said the only solution to Nigeria’s multifaceted socio-economic and political challenges is individual attitudinal change.

High Chief Kalejaiye gave this suggestion on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Lagos.

The traditional ruler suggested that the solution to Nigeria’s challenges lie in living and upholding the second stanza of the country’s national pledge.

Doing this at this critical time, he argued, would set the country on the right track of progress, peace and prosperity.

He noted that there is nothing wrong with the country’s electoral and legal systems.

The traditional ruler identified individual attitude to corruption, greed and excessive love for power and authority as the culprit sinking the country’s national ship.

He however urged Nigerians especially the political class to embark on self-cleansing and be faithful, loyal and honest to the Nigerian state.

He said, “if we live our lives in accordance to the second stanza of the country’s National Pledge, corruption, electoral fraud and rigging, vote buying and other challenges confronting us as a nation will be a foregone issue. Our pledge to be faithful, loyal and honest must strictly be adhered to tackle corruption in the judiciary and in governance.

“Our problem is not human resources, we have professionals in every field in abundant. Our problem is not the absence of laws; the country’s laws are objective and unambiguous but our problem has to do with individual’s greed and corruption.

“This is where I disagree with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo who called for the reform of the country’s electoral law and the appointment of new, credible leaders for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent corruption and re-establish trust during the Chinua Achebe leadership forum held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

“The former president said reforming the electoral system and appointing new credible leaders would address the issues at hand but I say, remoulding individual character and living the second stanza of the national pledge is enough to set us on the path of progress. If this done, those at the helms of affairs of the EFCC, INEC and the ICPC and other government agencies and parastatals will be just, honest and incorruptible in dealing with others because the success of Nigeria project will be paramount in their hearts.

“They will shun corruption and not compromised in handling corruption cases. There are references to corruption cases that have been lying fallow for years at the ICPC and EFCC without prosecution. Same goes to government officials who at the snap of a finger are eager to drop charges against suspects of financial and economic crimes.”