A former leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, has criticized what he described as the “despicable conduct of some political party primaries,” warning that such practices undermine Nigeria’s democracy and send dangerous signals to the younger generation.
Ezeugwu, who is also an aspirant for the House of Representatives under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday.
He said Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the international community were closely watching the conduct of political actors, stressing that the growing culture of dishonesty, deceit, “money is everything” mentality, hooliganism, and cultism in the political space must stop.
“How and when did we condescend this low? No shame, no fear of what the judgment will be. What are we teaching our children and generations yet unborn?” he queried. Ezeugwu said he was raised with strong family values and recalled being cautioned during a family meeting in 2011, before venturing into partisan politics, not to bring the family name into disrepute.
According to him, he made a personal vow at the time to quit politics if it ever required him to live a double life or compromise his integrity. He urged civil society organizations to speak out against individuals whose actions, he said, were negatively impacting the youth and weakening the nation’s democratic institutions.
“If we can’t change the polity, let us leave it as we found it,” he stated.
The NDC House of Representatives aspirant said his ambition was driven by a desire to “change the narrative,” calling on political stakeholders to work collectively towards restoring integrity, justice, truth, peace, and love in Nigeria’s political system.
