‘APC, Buhari  Saved Nigeria from Brink of Collapse in 2015’

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and son of the First Republic Senator from Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State, Chief Richard Lamai, has described as misconstrued critics’ assertion that the ruling party has mismanaged the affairs of the country.

 Lamai, who is the Executive Director of Senator E.A. Lamai Foundation, said that contrary to such negative assessment, APC as a party meant well for the country and is not a self-serving entity.

Lamai stated this at a press conference in Abuja ahead of the first Senator . Lamai Memorial  Lecture.

Lamai, a First Republic Senator from Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State, passed away on May 14, 2009.

The son of the late senator said event scheduled to hold at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on May 26, 2023, will feature thought-provoking discussions on issues dear to his father’s dream of a better Nigeria through the instrumentality of good legislation.

While speaking on the performance of the APC in the past eight years, Lamai further said the APC, meant well for Nigeria.

According to Lamai by completing projects started by the PDP administration  and initiating new ones, APC  “has shown it is not a self-serving entity and has been able to change the usual narrative of policy somersaults and saved the country from the brink of imminent collapse in 2015.

“The party in its manifesto outlined their pathway for a better Nigeria and to a large extent, has performed creditably, but we must realise that Nigeria belongs to all of us and we all have a role to play in ensuring a better Nigeria,” Lamai said.

On what necessitated the establishment of the foundation, he explained that his father, Senator Ekpemoriri Akhagbemhe Lamai, was a well-known humanitarian and nationalist during his lifetime and the foundation is to promote the ideals he stood for.

“His foray into politics was a natural progression from his love for the improvement of his community, as evidenced by his numerous contributions. From adolescence, it was already clear that he stood for the upliftment of his fellow man and sought to defend and promote all issues relating to their wellbeing. He abhorred oppression and injustice and confronted any scenario or power that denigrated humans.

From his well documented encounters with the then colonial authorities, his stewardship with Oba Akenzua in the movement for the creation of Midwest as Secretary General, his destiny was already visibly shaped.

“As a man who believed in compliance to lawful authority, but detested dehumanisation, this engagement could only be properly addressed via a political platform as it was in those days. Hence, he joined the Zikists to form the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons Party (NCNC).

“Today,  in Nigeria, more than ever before, such ethos and leadership qualities are required to help stir the conscience of the citizens. It is for this, amongst other  reasons, that our family established a foundation to support  and mould selfless leaders who will stand for equity justice and fairness in our collective quest to have a united and prosperous Nigeria,” Lamai stated.