Politics
‘Nigeria Needs To Strengthen Democracy’
Who should be an ideal person to rule this country? If I say I know who should rule this country then I am pre-empting democratic principles; I am saying that there is no need for elections.
A country like Nigeria of 150 million people, blessed with natural resources unparalled should be led not ruled, by somebody of integrity, somebody who has character, a democrat par excellence; and somebody who is visionary and has the interest of the ordinary people in this country at heart. Somebody who will look back and say that sincerely the past leaders of this country rather than moving the country forward have retarded the country and that the day he takes up office say 2011 is the beginning of change in Nigeria. That is the kind of person I would want to lead this country. That is the kind of person those of us in the civil society have been struggling over the years from military to civilian dictatorship to run the affairs of this country. So that the environment would be open, conducive for ordinary people, for every hard working Nigerian.
Nigerians are not lazy people. With the right environment, Nigerians can thrive, they can compete favourably with anybody anywhere in the world (black or white).
Those I would not want to run this country in 2011 are people like Babangida who have had an unparallel opportunity whether military or whatever to run the affairs of this country but were over-run by power.
Instead of moving this country forward, they destroyed some of the fabrics that would have made this country great. We are where we are today because leaders like Babangida, rather worked to retard the progress of this country. They went to the root of this country and cut off the root because of their selfish interest.
There is no point saying I build this and build that when the basic foundation that can give the present and future generations opportunity to grow in the land were removed. I don’t think that characters like Babangida should be allowed to run the affairs of this country. And I think that Babangida should typifies a kind of person I would not want to rule this country not just me but majority of Nigerians; look back at the June elections that would have helped to sabilise democracy in this country and give all of us an opportunity to grow. Babangida deferred but he has not been decent enough to come out and say “Nigerians, I am sorry”.
He has refused to bear responsibility for all the murders, Dele Giwa and the rest of them that were alleged. Yes, he ran a military dictatorship but we have also seen military dictatorship that had decency elsewhere in the world and they helped in building their country. So, you don’t use military tyranny as an excuse to fundamentally abuse the right of people, to fundamentally deny people opportunity and deny them their fundamental right to life. People like General Vasta was killed on a trumped up charge of organising a coup.
People who cannot take responsibility for their actions are no ideal leaders. We hear of the Okigbo report of the oil wind fall, over N20 billion; who cannot clear themselves. People who can not come before the Oputa Panel and tell the truth about what they did when they were in power, cannot come and insult the intelligence of Nigerians. I think what he is coming to do is to finish up what he has left of us. So characters like that I don’t think can run the affairs of this country.
Now for Nigeria to move forward democracy must be strengthened. Because that is the only way that, people who are as diversed both in ethnic and religious terms can live together. If you don’t have effective democracy, if democracy is not strengthened in Nigeria, it becomes extremely difficult to have the right leadership to move this country forward. In that scenario, you will continue to have the Jos crisis, the Niger Delta crisis, the Odual people crisis, religious crisis among others. So there is need to strengthen democracy to tackle the crises.
Nigerians are expected that after the military, there should be a semblance of democracy and growth; that their GDP would improve but we all know since may 1999 across this country especially in the Niger Delta, that it has not been easy for ordinary people to freely go to the poll to elect their leaders. What this means over the time is that people get into public offices where they don’t care about the welfare of the people but about themselves. They grow themselves at the expense of the ordinary person.
The violence we have in the Niger delta is as a result of bad governance and leadership. If you go to other parts of Nigeria, the same thing applies. That is the reality on ground. So we need a democracy that is strengthened, a democracy that offers ordinary people the opportunity to freely go to the ballot box and elect credible candidate.
We need a situation in which an elected person will know that if he does not perform well, he could be voted out in the next election. But this is not what we have now. What obtains presently is “no matter what I do I will come back the people don’t matter”. But the people actually matter. That they are not on the street marching against government on daily basis is not the reason to believe that they don’t matter.
They can withdraw their co-operation; they can withdraw quietly their obedience to civil rule hence they would embrace, kidnapping while those in positions of authority continue to steal.
In the constitution, the primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property. If the people do not feel secured, how would they wake up in the morning and go looking for money. So we need a leader that must emanate from the people – be it a councilor, local government chairman, legislator or whatever. People say fear of God but also there should be fear of the people because the mandate belongs to the people. We need a change of our electoral regime, and that calls for the implementation of Uwais Report. That report should be faithfully implemented, since the content of the report is what Nigerians want; it should infact be made the law of this country.
Also, whoever should take over from Iwu should be somebody who has been in this system, understands the system, understands the legal workings of electoral bodies across the globe. Somebody who is also willing and ready to take risk on behalf of Nigerians not on behalf of Mr. President or National Assembly. So, that when 2011 comes whoever emerges, the world at large would accept him.
It is important they choose some body who will be able to organise something that is close to free and fair election.
I believe that perfection is probably impossible, so something that will be calculated by both local, regional and international observers as free and fair. So that Nigerians can begin to talk about a leader of their own, they can begin to talk about their own value.
Today, the life of a Nigerian is worthless the way we are treated by our own leaders. People are killed on daily basis and nobody cares. It is only when one big man or politician is kidnapped that you see it on the pages of Newspapers.
In freedom House Index an independent Non-Governmental Organization based in Washington DC that monitors freedom across the world, Angola, Botsana, Sierra Leone, Ghana are far higher rated in terms of democratic strengthening. But Nigeria is rated as what is called as autocracy. And this is a country that is supposed to play a major role in Africa. Today, if a nation is not democratic in nature forget it and she can not play at the international level.
No rebranding is not a public relations exercise; you can have one hundred million national orientation agencies, they will not make any impact until you have leadership stands at the podium at United Nations building in New York or international conference centre, Levi and proudly say that, “I am piloting a democratic Nigeria”, and that statement would also concretely and constructively be supported by the opinions of the majority of the people of this country and the external watchers.
So until we have a leader that can stand out, and people can say he is not an abuser of human rights; he did not kill Nigerians with impunity in the past; he did not steal Nigeria’s money and he did not force himself to power. Until you have somebody of repute, somebody of integrity at the global state representing our interest.
It takes a good leader to liberate Nigeria and Nigerians from betrayed hope. I don’t know if that person is Jonathan. But if Jonathan is the character that can bring back integrity to Nigeria; integrity to leadership, human decency, taking ordinary Nigerians seriously, adding value to humanity of Nigerians if he is, he is free, he is a Nigerian, he should contest. But because of the circumstances, I would say Jonathan should concentrate on three main issues – reform the electoral process, work with the National Assembly and give Nigerians an effective electoral instrument.
Also, there should be a provision that once the election is over all the electoral cases arising from that election should be disposed of before anybody takes the position. Once any position is contested, the election tribunal should dispose all cases before anybody mounts the position of governance.
Anyakwe Nsirimovu is Executive Director, Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (1HRHL).
Anyakwe Nsirimovu
Politics
Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Politics
Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
Eno Promotes ARISE Coordinator To Perm Sec
-
Business5 days ago
Multipurpose Terminal Hosts 6,606-Foot Capacity Vessel In Onne
-
Politics5 days ago
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
-
News5 days ago
Court Okays Arrest, Detention Of Six CBEX Promoters
-
Featured5 days ago
FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
Diri Okays Ongoing Projects’ Progress
-
Business5 days ago
NCDMB, MT Group Partner On Valves Manufacturing … As Board Inspects Firm’s Capabilities
-
Featured5 days ago
NNPCL To Undergo Forensic Audit Soon -FG