Date: 2017-10-01

As Nigeria celebrates her 57th anniversary as an independent nation , the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Ahmad says it is high time Nigerians subjected their leaders to accountability.

Ahmad, in an independence anniversary message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Shuaib Abdulkadir, said that the country's major problem has been bad leadership.

This, according to him, was the main reason good governance had been a mirage in the country in spite of its being blessed with various mineral resources that could easily be tapped to change the nation's fortune.

The Speaker also heaped blame on the citizenry with the attitude of always demanding for token from aspiring politicians, a situation which he said has not allowed the country's best brains to come out and vie for elective offices.

Ahmad added that majority of Nigerians are always after immediate gains from the politicians rather than giving them opportunity to serve ,and if otherwise, show them the way out.

With that in mind, according to him, those elected would be ready to serve till the last drop of their blood and not disappoint the confidence reposed in them by their various constituents.

"And if they fail to perform, they already know the consequences. Therefore, we must be ready to change our way of doing things which have not been yielding fruitful results for the nation. If the people change, the leader will also be forced to change", he added.

He, however, noted that in spite of the challenges facing the country there are reasons to celebrate Nigeria's independence as a sovereign state.

According to him, the existence of Nigeria as a nation was undoubtedly not a small feat.

Ahmad also appreciated the efforts by the nation's past leaders in Nigeria becoming independent from British rule 57 years ago also felicitated with Nigerians on the occasion.

While enjoining the Federal Government to address the challenges confronting Nigeria, particularly agitations from various zone of the country, the Speaker said the future of the Nigeria remains bright