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Press Release Tinubu On 10TH Anniversary of Ikeja Cantonment Blast
Speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Ikeja Military Cantonment blast in Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, has decried worsening security in the country and asked the federal government to correct the situation.
“We live in a country we no longer recognise. Bombs everywhere, collapsed social and economic infrastructure, near total security breakdown and a government that functions in fits and starts,” he lamented in a speech he gave at ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the blast in Isolo, a Lagos suburb. “We cannot go on like this as a people and a country and expect a different or better result.”
But he challenged Nigerians to hold their governments to account, if there must be improvements in the present situation.
“We must not relent in exacting from our leaders the promise of a better life, of economic emancipation, employment and a country that builds institutions that can offer the citizenry a better life,” Asiwaju Tinubu said.
He decried the apparent lack of compassion in governance, making a reference to the conduct of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo who shouted down a hurting victim of the blast, insisting he did not have to be at the blast site.
“I remind you of this not to disparage the person of the former president,” he corrected, “but to drive home my point about power and responsibility. That soldier could no longer care if he was going to be court-marshalled or shot for confronting his commander-in-chief. He felt the condition of the victims ought to have evoked pity from the nation’s number 1 citizen.”
While saying both his government and that of his successor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, had delivered on their promises to the victims of the blast, he called on the federal government to fulfil its pledges.
“What happened to all the promises they made to these people? Ten years is a long time to wait and hope!,” he declared. “Ten years down the road, I am saddened by the fact that the federal government is yet to deliver on all the promises made to the victims.”
