By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja
Honourable Julius Pondi represents Burutu Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives. In this interview, he says Nigeria has celebrated 55 years of nationhood but has really nothing to show for it and that the much talked about fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will not achieve much result. Excerpts:
Nigeria recently celebrated 55 years of its nationhood. In your own assessment did we have anything to celebrate?
October 1, 2015 was a very unique day in our collective history as it marks the 55th anniversary of the day our forefathers refused to be consumed by the pretty differences and were united to get independence for Nigeria. 55 years ago, the British Union Jack flag was lowered for the hoisting of our national Green-White-Green flag to herald the independence of our nation.
Yes, it is our day of independence and we are all expected to celebrate, but we do not see any reason to celebrate as Ijaw and Niger Deltans, as the very principles of our equity and fairness, upon which this nation was founded, have since been abused.