Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Adewole Adebayo, has expressed concern that 65 years after independence, Nigerians are still gripped by fear.
Speaking on the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Adebayo warned that the country cannot attain progress while millions of its citizens continue to languish in poverty and insecurity.
He stressed that the long-promised greatness of the nation would remain a mirage unless decisive steps are taken to address insecurity, hunger, and corruption.
“No nation can prosper while its people live in fear. Peace is not optional; it is the precondition for progress, the anchor of prosperity, and the oxygen of national renewal,” he said.
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Looking back on Nigeria’s history since 1960, Adebayo recalled the hopes and aspirations of the founding fathers, including the first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
He pointed out that 65 years later, the lived reality of most Nigerians has fallen far short of those early expectations.