Edo: Nigerian politicians are too desperate for power

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof Itse Sagay, has lamented the level of desperation being displayed by political gladiators ahead of the governorship election in Edo State.

He said that with the desperation being shown, it was almost like the candidates had no life before gunning for the position of governor.

Recall that the US Embassy and Amnesty International recently deployed political violence in Edo ahead of the September 19 polls.

While the US embassy expressed disappointment with the political gladiators, Amnesty International called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and salvage the situation before it mars the entire election process.

Sagay stated that Nigerian elections would never be peaceful, free and fair as long as politicians continued to throw caution to the winds when seeking political office.

“What disturbs me is the desperation of the parties; they are just too desperate. A person doesn’t have to be governor for Christ’s sake.

“They had a life before they became governors or governorship candidates; they didn’t die.

“In fact, these are people who are living very well far above the average Nigerian, so what is the desperation about? I don’t understand. Nigerian politicians are too desperate, and that is responsible for part of our problems.

“I agree that there is a lot of tension and the fear that there may be bloodshed if this thing is not properly handled. It is a very sad situation that at this level, at this stage, 20 years after we return to civilian rule, people are still maintaining this do or die mentality for positions; it is such a disaster,” Sagay told Saturday Sun.