Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has opposed the quota system being practiced in Nigeria, saying it is important for Nigerians to change their thinking and embrace merit.
He stated this at Greater Nigeria Pastors Conference in Lagos titled ‘Towards a better Nigeria’.
He mentioned that Nigeria would move forward if Nigerians continue to advocate merit in appointments and shun sentiments, adding that when football teams play, we do not ask where they come from because we want to win.
“In the same vein, if we want to win in Nigeria, we must insist on merit. We must insist on fair minded and just people in positions. That is how countries are run all over the world. It is only in this country that the first thing we do is to ask for quota system”.
He stated that the high level of corruption cases in the country does not have ethnic or religious backing, emphasizing that politicians are united when it comes to corruption.
“I have never seen a situation where an Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and other tribes joined hands to steal money and they argued about it”
“It is my view that the Nigerian elite, religious leaders and politicians think alike when it comes to corruption and they were always very selfish playing religious and ethnic cards when it pleases them”.
In December 2016, the Vice President had earlier identified the importance of merit in giving reward and said the quota system was detrimental to the progress of any society.
Nigeria’s quota system, embedded in the federal character principle which has been enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, seeks to ensure that all parts of the country are adequately represented in public positions or for public benefits.
Critics have argued that quota system promotes mediocrity as it allows people who are not qualified assume positions or get Government benefits, based on their State of Origin.
