Former Lagos deputy governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele has warned that Nigeria is facing serious political, economic, and security challenges under the current administration.
Speaking during an interview with Vanguard, the 87-year-old politician said the country is “in a very dangerous political climate at the moment.”
“We are in danger of being swamped by insurgents,” she said. “The economic situation is really disastrous.
"Most people are finding it difficult even to be able to eat one square meal a day.”
Bucknor-Akerele, who served as deputy governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2003, also accused the ruling party of trying to weaken opposition parties.
“The main party is trying to infiltrate all the political parties and turn Nigeria into a one-party state,” she said.
She expressed concern about insecurity, poor healthcare, waste disposal, and overcrowding in Lagos.
“There’s just rubbish everywhere in the streets,” she said, warning that poor sanitation could lead to a health crisis.
On democracy, she said she fears Nigeria may be moving away from the ideals fought for after military rule.
“People are being threatened.
"They’re being disenfranchised. Ballot boxes are being stolen,” she said.
Bucknor-Akerele also spoke about her time in politics, saying she entered public service to help people, not for “self-aggrandisement.”
She urged young Nigerians to become more involved in politics and “elect people who will run this country in the right way.”
