Pastor Sam Adeyemi Pours Out His Heart On National Confab

Sam Adeyemi is the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre. As one who has
passion for the development of Nigeria, he has joined other Nigerians to express
his thoughts on the proposed national conference.
Pastor Adeyemi, host of the popular programme - Success Power - which airs on
radio and tv stations within and outside the country, says he doubts if the
outcome of the conference will see the light of the day.
In a series of tweets, he says the antecedents of the ruling party with previous
conferences “raise doubts as to the implementation of the outcomes of this
conference, if any.”
He laments the “utter wretchedness” and worsening living conditions being faced
by many Nigerians, saying the situation does not necessarily require the
convocation of a national conference for it to improve. He therefore accused the
ruling class of “governing the nation without conscience.”
The cleric, who notes via his Twitter handle that he has been drawing inspirations
from a book entitled “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and
Poverty,” says the Federal Government should ensure the “evolving of institutions
that will ensure prosperity of the citizenry.”
He says, “Nigeria’s government is taking steps towards organising a national
conference now. This gives cause for cheer, but there are questions on my mind.
Do we need a national conference to build good roads, schools and hospitals etc?
“Sadly, I have seen utter wretchedness in the living conditions of Nigerians in
recent times. Will the Nigerian elite class have enough conscience to create a
Nigeria where all citizens can equally prosper? It doesn’t matter whether they are
military or civilian, or belong to different political parties. Will this elite class, which
has frustrated previous conferences and annulled elections, execute our decisions
this time?
“Will the outcomes of this conference, if any, ever become a reality? Is there a way
for citizens to shift the balance of power so they have control over the politicians?
Or should we encourage the conference to hold and pray that God should hijack
the direction somehow?
“Do all constituent parts of Nigeria really want development to happen? Many
questions on my mind.”
Adeyemi says it is unfair for a “small elite group” to take charge of political power
and use such to control the economy to benefit themselves. He asks political
leaders to rule with conscience, adding that the Federal Government should learn a
lesson or two from the developmental policies of the United Arab Emirate and
England.
Continuing, he notes, “Most countries that have developed did so by evolving
inclusive institutions and policies that make prosperity possible for all citizens. So,
citizens have control over the elite that control the economy.
“England changed when parliament whittled down the power of the monarchy and
created policies to empower citizens to prosper. The Industrial Revolution followed
through innovation by citizens. Dubai, which runs a monarchy, has transformed
because the elite have a conscience.”
He urges the Nigerian masses to make use of the sanctity of the ballot to kick out
inept and bad leaders, and to also make the political class to be in tune with the
yearnings of the populace.
Adeyemi asks, “Does the Nigerian populace have the enlightenment and gut to
whip the political class into line when the elections come? Is there a way for
citizens to shift the balance of power so they have control over the politicians?”