Electorates’ illiteracy makes unscrupulous leaders hold sway in power – Ex-PDP spokesperson

EDUCATION has been described as a keystone in the arch of democracy while enlightenment brought about by education, liberates the human mind and spirit because ignorance breeds only slavery. 

These are the words of former Public Relation Officer of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim penultimate Thursday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital at the symposium of the Council for African Security Affairs (CASA) in collaboration with the Society for Peace & Practice, Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.

Speaking as a guest speaker at the symposium titled: “Nigeria and Challenges of Nationhood”, Hashim said it is the liberated mind that is able to contribute meaningfully to the democratic process.

He said: ” the educated man or woman as electorate in the democratic process, unlike the illiterate, is able to evaluate the manifesto or programmes of a political party or would-be leader. It is easier for the educated electorate to identify the sham, or fake seeker of high office during an electioneering campaign than a bunch of illiterate electorate.

“The corollary is that education can ensure the selection and election of better candidates for office in the democratic process. Summarized in few words, education can guarantee the success of democracy and assure its sustenance. Education is fundamental to and preeminent force in the preservation of democracy and the selection of good leaders”, Hashim added.

According to him, the link between education and development is positive and string, saying the chief weapon in democracy’s arsenal in the fight against poverty as well as inequality is education.

Hashim also stressed that leadership stands on tripod of security, governance and development. According to him, when those who govern us fail, security becomes complicated, and all other aspects fail and impede national development.

He therefore tasked Nigerians to be vast in knowledge, sound in practice, innovative, creative and committed to the highest ideas of integrity and moral probity.