Military not Nigeria's problems -Bode George

A former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, on Thursday said the problems with Nigeria did not begin with the overthrow of civilian governments by the military.

Speaking at the ongoing National Conference 2014 in Abuja, George said claims that the military was responsible for Nigeria’s downfall were far from the truth.

He said, “Military incursion into Nigerian politics is not the problem that we are facing today. Those facts have been half truth. Let us tell the younger generation what happened. The problem that we had in the South West that was not controlled, expanded beyond our control and engulfed this country.

“It was the deputy chairman at the senate at that time that invited the military at that time. The military did not just wake up from their barracks and headed to take over the power. Let us tell ourselves the truth and prevent occurrence in the future.”

According to him, the problem with Nigeria is intolerance, urging delegates to discuss with justice, fairness and equity.

The former Chairman, Board of Nigerian Ports Authority, said Nigeria must rise above ethnic pettiness and narrow partisan vision to overcome its challenges.

“In a land that there is no fairness and justice, there can never be peace. Let us love one another and be our brothers keeper.”

A former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, Buba Galadima, in his own speech, criticised President Goodlcuk Jonathan’s inaugural speech, saying it fell below standard.

Galadima, who said his name was initially removed from the list of delegates by the Federal Government, said the President did not make any commitment in his speech.