Smart Adeyemi, senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, on Wednesday, argued that the military era is better than democracy in Nigeria.
Adeyemi stated this while making contributions to a bill for an Act to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission and for Other Related matters.
The senator gave instances on how hooligans emerge as leaders in Nigeria, noting that the situation has painted the country’s democracy in bad light, to the extent that people look at all politicians as criminals.
He said: ”Mr. President, when people of questionable character become leaders, then what is the future of that country. In fact, I am compelled to say military era is better than Nigeria’s democracy currently.
“When you talk about maladministration and misappropriation of public funds, it emanates from people who have criminal records, people who have no background were elected or forced themselves into power.
“Mr. President, this is one of the best bills that we must all support.
“We are living witnesses to bad governance and bad representation in parliament. We must support this bill to bring good people into power, not charlatans, not ragamuffin.
“People who have criminal records come to the National Assembly to make laws.
Reacting to the statement, senate president, Ahmad Lawan, objected that military era is not preferable to democracy as posited by Adeyemi.
He said the Kogi lawmaker is entitled to his opinion, adding that he made the comment in his personal capacity.
“The position of this chambers is that democracy is better than military era and Senator Adeyemi is entitled to his opinion”, Lawan stated.
