Oseloka Henry Obaze, the immediate-past Secretary to the Government of Anambra State and the 2017 Governorship Candidate of the PDP, has warned that Nigeria faces the danger of creeping towards a one-party state.
Obaze made this remarks in Enugu on Saturday, November 13, 2021, when he presented a keynote speech at the maiden edition of the “Frontier Discourse” – An Annual Public Lecture Series and Awards of the The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine.
Speaking on the topic “Mental Power at the Mercy of Political Will: Nigerian Politics and its Conscious Play to Ignorance”, the former United Nations Diplomat said those in power and those seeking public offices in Nigeria ought to be asking some heady questions.
According to him, Nigeria faces the “danger of creeping towards a one-party state.” He argued that “Nigeria is too diverse – religiously, geographically and linguistically to be run on a one party basis,” warning that those who fancy the idea of a one-party state now will soon regret it.
Obaze, who was also honoured with the “Frontier Person” award during the event, added that the failure to restructure Nigeria is not the only area in which the political elite have succeeded in hoodwinking the nation.
He maintained that “Nigeria continues to fail in its collective effort to tackle several notable national questions germane to her nation building and overall advancement.”
According to him, “power in Nigeria is now possessive, and is underpinned by the winner-take-all mindset. Those who wield power tend to use it to cancel the aspirations, needs and rights of others.
“Nothing can justify the divisive public comments of some public officials aimed at cancel culture. The vexatious scope & chilling effect of the acrimony elicited by the restructuring debate & nationalist agitations notwithstanding, certain vituperations are simply unacceptable.”
The event had the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the Chief Guest of Honor and a recipient of the 2020 Governor of the Year in Peace and Welfare Award, represented by his Special Adviser on Information, Hon. Steve Oruruo.
The event was chaired by Former Minister for Information, Frank Nweke II. Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu was a Discussant at the Public Lecture, as well as a Special Guest of Honor. Other dignitaries present included Former Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo who was also a Special Guest of Honor. Others are HRH, AIgwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze Barr. Igwesi O. Igwesi, HRH Igwe Abel Nwobodo & HRH Igwe Greg Ugwu.
Also, His Grace, Most Revd. Dr. E. O. Chukwuma, Rt. Hon. Chief USA Igwesi, Captains of Industries, Representatives of Student, Youth & Religious institutions and Heads of Academic institutions were among the many dignitaries that graced the occasion.
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