Politics

Democracy: Where We Missed The Bus – Obasanjo

Published

3 years ago

January 26, 2023

…Calls for a truly people oriented constitution

…Marvels at arrogance of incompetence and ignorance among leaders

Former President Olusegun of Obasanjo has said Nigeria’s democracy, after six decades of political independence, has remained stagnated, even deepened negativities, because leaders are not demonstrating capacities to provide transformative leadership that unites Nigerians.

Obasanjo, as Keynote Speaker, was among guests to Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike Thursday in Port Harcourt where he reflected on “Respecting The Principles Of Democracy” at the Rivers State Government facilitated International Conference On “Deepening Democratic Culture And Institutions For Sustainable Development And Security In Nigeria”

Commending Wike for the gathering, Obasanjo said, “It has been a while since academics, politicians, policymakers and professionals from all over the world came together to discuss Nigeria. We sure need more opportunities to interrogate and understand our past and present, to design and plan our future”

In the highlights of his presentation, the former President attempted to to redirect stakeholders minds to where they missed the bus in the conviction that if the citizens were patient, humble, reflective, and willing, another bus (2023 elections) is just around the corner only if the people were ready to be active passengers.

He said though no two democracies were exactly alike, “However, citizens that live in democracies share common perspectives, expectations and commitments to basic tenets of democratic practice. And they may turn out to be beneficiaries or victims depending on the course of the process and practice of democracy.”

Where We Miss The Bus

On Nigeria missing the bus, he said, “Our democracy has gone through twists, dives and turns since political independence. The best of our history has been the sustenance of democracy since the transfer of power to an elected government in 1999.

“However, there may be reasons to doubt how much lessons the leaders and followers have drawn from our past and how far they are willing to go to deepen, widen and strengthen democracy and democratic practice.

“The Constitution of the country provides the foundations that guide political activities. Democracy equally enables political actors to engage each other within set rules. But when actors confuse the beginning with the end, or adopt the infamous Machiavellian dictum that the end justifies the means, they get set for a race without boundaries, with no rules or where anything goes.

“An elite of commission agents, politicians, appointment hunters and influence peddlers is unlikely to appreciate the value of democracy and democratization. Everyone in this room, whether we admit it or not, is an expert in Nigerian politics.

“We all have opinions and we have prescriptions for all the problems of Nigeria. Yet, the country is not making progress. Most of us are experts in what we know little or nothing about and ignoramus in what is our duty and responsibility.

“We have tried all sorts of regimes, ideologies, planning strategies and personalities in power: the so-called new breed did not show that they were different. Equally, states run by professors, retired military officers and other professionals including teachers did not experience visible and substantial improvements.

“True, there have been some outstanding leaders at various levels of power but no tree has ever made a forest; the good ones are few and far in between and did not form critical mass. The lack of conversations across fault-lines and primordial proclivities mean that our leaders are unable to share ideas and have durable and sustained policies for long enough time.

“This prevents useful cooperation, collaboration, stability and sustainability. It means whatever best practices are in one location remain there and may die there. If after six decades of political independence, our leaders are not showing clear capacities to provide transformative leadership that unites Nigerians and contains ethnic, religious, regional and clannish, selfish, even class proclivities, then, there is a problem.

“In fact, it is possible to declare that the ways in which we have practised our democracy have deepened contradictions, negative coalitions, distrust, disloyalty and unpatriotic tendencies within and between communities and constituencies all over the country.”

“We have tended so far to pursue the symptoms of the contradiction rather than focus on the causes and the disease remains stubbornly endemic. Unless we generate the courage and commitment to change course and do things better and differently, we may be heading for more trouble ahead.

“Democracy, when properly practised in the interest of peace, inclusion, national growth, development, security and stability, is supposed to address national problems, no matter how complex.

“In Nigeria, each new government behaves as if Nigeria is a newly found country. In fact, during campaigns, some leaders sound as if they plan to reinvent Nigeria and create new Nigerians overnight. That is because they miss the aspect of democracy that emphasizes continuity, stability and predictability.”

Prescriptions For Progressive Democracy

Going forward, Obasanjo said, “I marvel at the level of arrogance of incompetence and ignorance. The impunity is sickening. There are thousands of persons with integrity all over the country. Leaders need to identify and connect these persons with their communities and organisations to build a true national movement and commitment to democratic practice.

“Without reinventing the wheel therefore, let me state very clearly that the principles I have been talking about include, but certainly not limited to building and compacting a truly people-led and people-driven Constitution that they would own and defend against political predators of any form.

“This is the basic foundation that when you involve the people in the process, they understand it, make their inputs, see the document as their own; not only would they defend it, but it would also guide their political actions, alignments and realignments. Their welfare and well-being is involved and they can make meaningful contributions.”

The guest speaker noted that a new constitution should then be complemented by, “Citizen participation in rule-based political competition: How much internal democracy do the parties have; are the parties used to identify and train new leaders?”

He also recommended commitment to equality before the law and respect for human rights, tolerance and inclusion, accountability of leadership and public officials, respect for the constitution and the rule of law.

“By all means, these do not exhaust the tenets of democracy but they represent a good starting point. If a nation can get through these levels, all other tenets will be easy to achieve”, Obasanjo added.

Governor Wike in his remarks on the occasion, note that, “The efficiency of the judiciary in interpreting and enforcing the existing regulatory regime, including the laws, regulations and guidelines beyond reproach and the capacity and consistency of INEC and the Security Agencies to be firm, impartial and independent in the discharge of their functions are most crucial.

“Safeguarding and deepening our democracy lies with every citizen. We must have the courage to stand up for justice, the rule of law, an independent and courageous judiciary, and our rights and freedoms to vote and be voted in a transparent election.”

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of the occasion said, “Though, there are some political milestones achieved since1999, there is no doubt that we still have a longway to go in building a robust culture of power and politics that is both Democratic and sustaining.”

As part of the event, there was the unveiling of the book, “Bridging Rivers”, which captured the governorship legacy of Wike with the book launced under the chairmanship of former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili.
VANGUARD

Politics

Mass Defections: Ndume Predicts Implosion In APC

Published

4 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Editor

Former Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has raised the alarm over the wave of defections by governors and lawmakers from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the party may be courting an internal collapse if the trend continues unchecked.

Ndume, who represents Borno South in the Senate, spoke on Sunday night at the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Award Lecture, held at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, where he received the honour of Most Outstanding Legislator and Advocate of National Unity.

In a candid acceptance speech that drew murmurs from the audience, the outspoken lawmaker dismissed many of the defectors as political lightweights with little or no value to add to the governing party, insisting that the APC is becoming “overloaded” with “mostly empty cargo.”

Checks by The Guardian revealed that the gale of defections accelerated within the last year, leaving the opposition parties badly depleted.

No fewer than five governors, including those of Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Taraba, have dumped their parties for the APC. Also awaited is the defection of the Plateau State governor.

Ndume, in a metaphor-laden address, warned that the rising influx poses structural danger to the ruling party.

“I have warned that the APC is becoming overloaded. And when you overload a ship, especially with mostly empty cargo, it risks capsizing,” he declared.

Describing the defections as a coordinated assault on Nigeria’s democratisation, the organisation said it amounted to a calculated attack on political pluralism and a betrayal of voters’ mandate.

Politics

Oshiomhole Criticises Obaseki’s Govt, Scores Okpehbolo High

Published

2 days ago

November 16, 2025

Editor

The Senator representing
Edo North District at the National Assembly, Adams Oshiomhole, has criticised the immediate past administration in the state over what he described as ground-breakings that yielded no meaningful projects, including the failed Gelegele Port and abandoned housing schemes.

The former governor of the state spoke while fielding questions from journalists over the weekend in Benin.

Oshiomhole also criticised the EdoBEST programme as “deceptive,” alleging that most schools lacked electricity or Wi-Fi to support its digital monitoring claims.

He further accused the past administration of neglecting public schools and reducing teacher numbers drastically.

Oshiomhole, who
sharply criticised the media for relying on what he described as political ancestors in the opposition, noted when asked questions on PDP: “You ( journalists ) had a meeting with PDP ancestors, because that party is politically dead. In this part of the world, when you are dead, you join the ancestors.

“So, did they speak to you from their graves? I answer questions from the living, not the dead. And I do not intend to join them anytime soon. So please, leave PDP out of it.

“If you must ask me a question, then I also have the right to ask you a counter-question: What did the PDP accomplish in their first year?

“They performed numerous so-called groundbreakings—Gele-Gele Port that mysteriously shifted into Benin when it rained, housing estates, and many others.

“They broke the ground so much that Edo almost became an earthquake zone. Fortunately, God designed our soil well”, Oshiomhole added.

Assessing Governor Okpebholo’s performance in one year, Oshiomhole stated that the governor inherited a state abandoned for eight years but has already delivered visible and verifiable projects.

He pointed to the Ramat Park flyover project as a major intervention that will significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve economic productivity in Benin City.

He praised Okpebholo for rehabilitating long-abandoned schools and providing better learning environments, referencing images recently displayed by the governor during a public presentation.

The senator highlighted the revival of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, which he said almost collapsed due to inadequate subvention under the past administration.

He commended Okpebholo for raising the institution’s monthly subvention to ₦500 million, resolving long-standing academic disruptions.

Oshiomhole also applauded the restoration of subvention to Edo University, Iyamho, increased from zero to ₦250 million monthly, describing it as a strategic investment in higher education.

He added that the governor has shown leadership by restoring peace to the traditional institution and resolving lingering tensions in the Benin Kingdom.

He maintained that Okpebholo’s one year in office has brought relief across the state, with major roads being reconstructed and abandoned institutions revived.

According to him, the governor’s humility, firm leadership and ability to hire and fire when necessary have restored discipline in government.

Oshiomhole said the governor has allowed his achievements to speak for him, noting that “action speaks louder than voice.

Speaking on his primary duty as a senator, Oshiomhole said that, although, senators come from specific districts, their legislative duties extend to the entire country.

He explained that all motions, bills and appropriations passed in the Senate must be designed with national application, adding that his focus has always been on contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.

The former governor reiterated that during his 2023 senatorial campaign that his priority was federal intervention for Edo would be the rehabilitation of the Benin–Auchi–Okene Road.

Oshiomhole narrated how the road, once a smooth 90-minute journey from Iyamho to Benin, had deteriorated so badly that travellers sometimes spent seven hours or even slept on the route.

The Iyamho-born political tactician said the industrial expansion in Okpella, now a major cement hub hosting BUA and Dangote plants, had further increased the pressure on the highway.

“You will also recall that during my campaign, those who had time to listen would remember, because during elections, journalists are oversubscribed. I stated clearly that the most important federal project I wanted addressed was the Benin–Auchi–Okene road.

“When I was growing up in Iyamho, it took about an hour and a half to get to Benin City. At one point, it began to take about seven hours, and if you were unlucky, you could even get trapped and sleep on that road. With the heavy movement of trucks, the situation became worse.

“This happened partly because of the industrial growth around Okpella. That axis has become the cement hub of Edo North, hosting production plants for Dangote and BUA.

“Moving these products around adds to the congestion. That is why, as soon as I got to the Senate, the very first motion I moved was on the Benin–Okpella–Okene road.

“Working with the then Senator Monday Okpebholo, now the Governor of Edo State, we mounted pressure on President Tinubu to think outside the box on how to fund and complete the road”, he said

Oshiomhole revealed that there was a heated exchange with the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, during the 2024 budget defence when only ₦200 million was initially allocated to the major highway, insisting that the government had to treat the road as a priority.

Speaking on Tinubu’s administration, the Edo Senator said the state is benefiting from the Tinubu administration’s nationwide social protection programmes, though, he maintained that the state still requires increased federal presence.

Politics

BREAKING: Nigerian Senate Approves Tinubu’s N1.15tn Loan Request

Published

6 days ago

November 12, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Senate has approved the request of President Bola Tinubu to raise N1.15 trillion from the domestic debt market to cover the unfunded portion of the 2025 budget deficit.

This comes after the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt during plenary on Wednesday.

According to the committee, the 2025 Appropriation Act provides for a total expenditure of N59.99 trillion, representing an increase of N5.25 trillion over the N54.74 trillion initially proposed by the Executive.

The expansion created a total budget deficit of N14.10 trillion. Of this, N12.95 trillion had already been approved for borrowing, leaving an unfunded deficit of approximately N1.15 trillion (N1,147,462,863,321).

In a related development, a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi was adopted, directing the Senate Committee on Appropriations to intensify its oversight to ensure that the borrowed funds are properly implemented in the 2025 fiscal year and used strictly for their intended purposes.

Recall that President Tinubu had on November 4th requested the approval of the National Assembly for a fresh N1.15 trillion borrowing from the domestic debt market to help finance the deficit in the 2025 budget.

The President’s request was conveyed in a letter. According to the letter, the proposed borrowing is intended to bridge the funding gap and ensure full implementation of government programs and projects under the 2025 fiscal plan.