Speaking on Wednesday at a lecture on a youth-based forum titled, 'The Platform Nigeria,' organised by Pastor Poju Oyemade of the Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos, Prof. Odinkalu, condemned the large number of security operatives attached to the CAN president, Punch reports.
Expatiating more on the topic of the lecture: "Saying no to the right to impunity" which was televised live onChannels Television, thehuman rights crusader questioned why the clergyman would be allowed to parade himself around with such security presence which he alleged oppressed motorists.
He revealed that he was driving on the road one day when I saw a large number of policemen and civil defence (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps) in a convoy. He said he initially thought it was a governor or President that was passing by because the security operatives pushed his vehicle aside.
"I was surprised to discover that it was the president of CAN and I even tweeted about it the other day"he said
Prof. Odinkalu, who described as unfortunate that the motorists were being oppressed by those in power and those who ought to be protecting the masses, and blamed the country's style of politics and the nonchalant attitude of the citizens for Nigeria's decay. He also hinted that Nigeria would be better if the people shunned ethnicity.
"Today almost every state government would want Alhaji Aliko Dangote to invest and pay tax to it. However, the moment Dangote says he wants to run as a senator, they will ask him if he is an indigene. This should not be so. I am happy that Lagos is different in this regard,"Prof. Odinkalu said.
According to him, the country's culture encourages impunity and corruption, and urged Nigerians to avoid worshiping political office holders.
"Why do you call them Excellency or honourable? Call them governor, call them senator. It is called public service. If there is no public, there will be no service,"he said.
Speaking on terrorism, he lamented the fact that several towns were taken over by insurgents and blasted the Federal Government for failing to send a delegation to visit prominent Islamic cleric, like Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, whose three sons were extra-judicially killed by Nigerian soldiers.
When Pastor Oritsejafor was contacted for comment, he said he has no response to Odinkalu, saying:"Please I don't know what you're talking about, I have nothing to say."
Meanwhile, the CAN President who was recently indicted in a $9.3 million smuggled cash that was confiscated by the South African authorities on Monday September 29, 2014, made a denial while speaking at the National Executive Council meeting of the association held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
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