An elderstateman and Senator of the sixth National Assembly in Nigeria, Dr. Bode Olajumoke has kicked against the move of the legislative body to allow State police, saying the nation is yet to mature democratically.

Speaking with The Hope in his Imeri residence in Ose local government area of Ondo state, Olajumoke noted that until Nigeria overcomes impunity and imposition of candidates on the masses, the idea of state police should be submerged till true democracy is sustained.

Olajumoke who was at the weekend honoured with a trailblazer and benevolence award by the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, NNSS, imeri attributed the failure of democracy in the country to the emergence of bad leadership.

He added that for democracy to be sustained in Nigeria and bring about desired development, there is a need for right leadership to be put in place, noting that with leaders with focus and vision running the affairs of the nation, things will start getting better.

His words: ” In terms of whether we are growing in our democracy, it is unfortunate we have not, go to other neighboring countries,Ghana, Guinea, I think there is a comparative appreciation for the need to grow democracy in those countries better than Nigeria; I pray that God will enlighten us, and it cut across all the political diverse, but I hope eventually we will get there.

“If democracy is properly established in our country, then we would have quality leadership in terms of being able to put right people in right places during election; and when we have true reflection of the masses in terms of leadership, that means we will have sound leadership.

“My advice is that we should ensure democracy thrives in our society, that is no imposition, no impunity, allow members of the ward to choose their councillors, allow members of a particular local government to elect their choice, is a question of allowing true democracy to thrive”. He advised.

The septugenarian who expressed absolute disapproval to the move of the National Assembly to allow State Police warned that democracy is yet to be achieved in Nigeria, hence the reason the country would not be able to manage State Police like other developed countries at this point in time.

“The impunity of our leadership at the state level across the nation is there, secondly I don’t think we have the funds.

“My take is that we are yet to have true democracy, we are yet to appreciate that government comes government goes, let there be establishment and installation of true democracy, when we have gotten there, then we can talk of state police”, he noted.