National Coordinator of Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP), Usman Bugaje, has said the country may never have good leaders because the processes involved in gaining power, is heavily monetized.
Bugaje disclosed this in Abuja, during the inauguration of zonal and state coordinators of RNP. He said the current political system only favors wealthy politicians who may not be as passionate as the average Nigerian who possesses the leadership qualities the country needs.
Bugaje said unless the current system changes, political parties will continue to produce bad leaders who in turn, would lead to bad governance.
“The leadership recruitment basis in our political parties does not prioritise knowledge or character rather, it is a matter of wealth or connection.
“We know this very well. Go to any party; tell them you want to contest for the governorship of that state. The first question they will ask you is ‘do you have money?’ Nobody will ask you about your character, competence or certificate, no,” he said.
The controversial 2019 presidential election, was adjudged as one of the most heavily monetized elections in Nigeria's history, and featured the now iconic Bullion Vans associated with the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, who is among political heavy weights in the APC, vying for the presidency in the coming 2023 presidential election.
Knowing the financial muscles of Tinubu and other candidates in the APC, a group of 500 support groups under The Progressive Project TPP, has vowed to put in place strategies that will enable its candidate, Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, to defeat established political moneybags at the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and in the general election.
The group which hosted representatives of about 500 support groups from all parts of Nigeria, said its meeting was part of efforts “to begin mapping out strategies towards beating moneybags’ influence at the forthcoming All Progressives Congress APC presidential primaries”.