Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has called on Nigerians to stop considering elections as a perfect exercise, saying the country should focus more on strengthening democratic institutions and improving the electoral processes.

Elections are complex exercises, especially in a large federation like Nigeria, with logistics that make it difficult to achieve perfection, said Fashola, a former Minister of Works, Housing and Power.

Fashola spoke on Friday at The Platform, a public policy forum in Lagos, as part of activities to mark Democracy Day, it was reported.

He said elections were critical to democracy but citizens and political actors needed to understand the challenges of conducting nationwide polls.

“Elections are not a perfect event because it requires a big logistical operation across a federation,” Fashola said.

“Presidential elections are a nationwide affair, with thousands of polling units to conduct the same process simultaneously, and with different local conditions.

Such a huge operation may have mistakes or shortcomings, he said, adding the challenge should be how to improve the system rather than undermine the public confidence in elections.

The reality of a presidential election is that all the polling units across the nation must be doing the same thing at the same time. “The question then is how we assign blame when things go wrong, especially when the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission cannot be everywhere at the same time,” he said.

Fashola said Nigerians should be fair in their assessment of electoral problems and should not blame the leadership of the electoral body for every operational failure.

He said electoral challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria, saying even older democracies have flaws in their electoral systems.

“Mature democracies know that elections may not always be perfect, but work to improve their institutions and processes over time,” he said.

“They tolerate these imperfections in other jurisdictions, and they want to do better but they also tolerate the outcome,” he said.

The former minister said Nigeria should also learn the discipline of strengthening its democratic system without constantly delegitimising outcomes of elections.

Losers Should Go into Opposition
Fashola also expressed concern about what he described as “widening” refusal by some political actors to accept election results after losing.

Such conduct, he warned, can jeopardize democratic development and the role of the opposition in national development.

“I think unwillingness to accept the result of an election perhaps makes the unsuccessful participants blind to seek and take up the role of opposition for the development of society,” he said.

Democracy, he said, doesn’t end with victory or defeat in the polls.

Opposition parties and unsuccessful candidates have important roles to play in holding the government accountable, offering alternative policies and contributing to the progress of society, he said.

Fashola also called on Nigerians to expand their perspective of democracy beyond elections and political battles.

“The country has to start asking itself the hard questions about the kind of democratic system it wants to build and sustain,” he said.

“If we are going to talk about democracy outside of elections, my question is: what kind of democracy do we want?,” he said.

The former governor said democratic maturity must not only be measured by the conduct of elections but also by the robustness of institutions, the respect for the rule of law, accountability in governance and the behaviour of political actors after elections.

Fashola said democracy can only grow when institutions are protected, strengthened and allowed to perform their roles without being undermined by political interests.

He said that citizens, leaders and political parties must continue to support systems that promote accountability, fairness and stability.

His remarks were part of broader discussions at The Platform on the state of democracy, governance, accountability in Nigeria, and the roles of leaders and citizens in keeping democratic institutions alive.

“Elections are still a key pillar of democracy but the real test of democratic progress is when institutions and citizens can sustain democratic values long after the ballots have been counted”, Fashola added.

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In advance of the June 20 governorship election, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti State and the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, has advised politicians and supporters to avoid violence, stating that his desire to win reelection is not worth the life of any Ekiti citizen.

The governor emphasized the importance of nonviolent, issue-based campaigns during the electioneering period while speaking at rallies in Emure, Ise/Orun, and Ikere Local Government Areas.

Oyebanji stated that the APC has peacefully run its campaigns throughout the state and urged party supporters to refrain from any actions that could incite disorder before to, during, or following the election.

In appreciation of the continuing infrastructure initiatives carried out by his administration and the federal government under President Bola Tinubu, including significant road improvements around the state, he further asked citizens to support the APC.

In addition to announcing plans to build the Olowe Museum to support local arts, culture, and tourism, the governor of Ise-Ekiti pledged that construction on the Ise-Ijan Road will soon begin.

He also urged party members to step up grassroots organizing in the run-up to the election, stating that he was confident the APC will win over a sizable portion of the state based on its performance in office.

Some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Emure-Ekiti defected to the APC during the rallies, while traditional leaders in the towns they visited prayed for the governor’s reelection.

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo received birthday congratulations and well wishes from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which described him as a strong supporter of democracy.

In a statement praising Obasanjo’s contributions to Nigeria, PDP National Chairman Kabiru Turaki, SAN, called the former president a remarkable leader and a statesman of historic significance who made sure Nigerian democracy endured.

The party recalled Obasanjo’s crucial contribution to stabilizing the republic and solidifying democracy at a significant juncture in Nigerian history.

Obasanjo created a model for democratic transition, according to PDP, which described him as the first Military Head of State to peacefully surrender power to a democratically elected administration.

Obasanjo was the first President of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, according to the PDP, which also commemorated his term and noted his contributions to the nation’s advancement.

The party praised Obasanjo’s dedication to democracy and his initiatives to fortify Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

on recognition of Obasanjo’s lasting influence on Nigerian politics, the PDP wished him a happy birthday and healthy health.

The statement acknowledged Obasanjo’s influence on Nigeria’s democratic path and expressed the PDP’s gratitude for his service to the country.

“We celebrate a great believer in democracy and a statesman of historic significance—the first Military Head of State to voluntarily hand over power to a democratically elected administration,” the statement says.

“As our party’s first presidential candidate and the first President of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, you were instrumental in establishing our republic and solidifying democracy at a vital point in our country’s history.

The message added, “On this special occasion, we celebrate your service to the nation and wish you continued good health and a very happy birthday.”

As he celebrates his 89th birthday, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has called former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo an everlasting study in leadership, public service, and national duty for younger generations.

The statement was delivered by Governor Abiodun on Thursday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta during the 89th birthday lecture honoring the elder statesman, which had as its theme “The Global Africa Enlightenment: From Chains to Renaissance.”

The governor claims that strong institutions and leaders who are prepared to see beyond short-term gains are essential to the success of the country.

He pointed out that the lecture’s theme captures Africa’s historical path, from colonial dominance to the continent’s continuous quest for advancement, growth, and dignity.

Abiodun emphasized that establishing societies that support justice, innovation, and unity, investing in knowledge, and fortifying institutions are the keys to Africa’s future.

He remembered that Obasanjo’s administration established the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), which provided a solid basis for fiscal restraint, economic restructuring, and public sector reforms.

The governor added that a number of important reforms were implemented to reposition the Nigerian economy during Obasanjo’s presidency from 1999 to 2007. These included the 2003 banking sector reforms, the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and revolutionary changes in the telecom sector.

“Baba, your impact has spread beyond Nigeria to Africa and the larger international community, especially in the fields of diplomacy and conflict resolution.

You have acted as a peace envoy and mediator in a number of regional wars over the years, including those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Liberia.

“You have continuously advocated for discussion as a means of achieving peace and stability through the African Union, the United Nations, and numerous international efforts.

“Young Africans should study leaders like Baba, not just to honor their accomplishments but also to comprehend the values that inform their choices. They need to understand how leadership can change the course of a country and even a continent when it is motivated by service and purpose, he continued.

Governor Abiodun added that Obasanjo was instrumental in assisting liberation movements throughout the continent in his capacity as military head of state.

He remembered that Obasanjo’s belief that the independence of one African nation is strongly linked to the freedom of all prompted Nigeria to stand resolutely against colonial domination and apartheid.

The Haitian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of South Africa, Jean Robert Pillard, gave a presentation titled “The Global Africa Enlightenment: From Chains to Renaissance,” in which he stated that culture serves as a reminder of humanity’s common identity while history unites individuals.

According to Pillard, culture should not be interpreted as nostalgia but rather as evidence that African peoples’ division was political rather than spiritual.

He clarified that while history protects memory, destiny demands action, and that the idea of the Global Africa Enlightenment is a reunion of peoples with common history and tradition rather than a creation.

The ambassador claims that former President Obasanjo’s appeal for a Global Africa Enlightenment is a policy direction and blueprint for the revitalization of African civilization rather than just a lyrical statement.

The celebrant is a role model for many Nigerians and Africans, according to Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, who also spoke at the occasion.

He continued by saying that Obasanjo’s enormous contributions to the advancement of Nigeria and the African continent would continue to benefit future generations.

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“In my humble opinion, democracy is the best kind of government and the rule of law man’s victory over the capricious use of power.”Obafemi Awolowo, Chief (1909-1987).

Any nation that has lost its history will undoubtedly be condemned to a lack of a thorough knowledge of its political, social, and cultural values. Up until recently, Nigeria was at a crossroads when Olusegun Obasanjo, the country’s president, outlawed history as a subject in schools for the vile purpose of trying to hide his shady political past.

Any Nigerian who is currently forty years of age or older may not, unless they work for it, have any historical awareness of the significance of our late political icon and sage, Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo, to our wonderful nation because of Obasanjo’s local and presidential insensitivity. Awolowo passed away on May 9, 1987, and is still regarded as the unquestionable founder of progressive politics in Nigeria.

I apologize to the late Biafran warlord Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, but Awolowo will always be remembered as the “best president Nigeria never had” because of his lasting contributions. Furthermore, Awolowo will always be regarded as the most prominent, knowledgeable, and powerful one-man political opposition this potentially great nation has ever produced—as long as Nigeria exists. Awolowo was as powerful as his political groups, which spanned the first and second republics, during his lifetime. His political group, the Action Group, AG, which he founded on March 21, 1951, was as powerful as he was throughout the first republic. More significantly, the party was a rift in the fabric of the central government at the time and was firmly established in the hearts of his people.

Ignoring Awolowo, a successful opposition leader at the time, would have put the ruling party in danger politically. The nunc dimittis of that political epoch was signaled by his imprisonment during the first republic. At the time, the Awolowo opposition phenomenon was so powerful.

In the second republic, fast forward. Awolowo ran under his progressive Unity Party of Nigeria, or UPN, but was unsuccessful. While his UPN had the greatest and most empirically supported political party manifesto/program in Nigerian history, Awolowo continued to be a particularly powerful and effective opposition voice against mal-governance until the fall of that republic and beyond.

It is founded on Awolowo’s welfare-socialism political philosophy, which he developed when he was the Western Region’s premier in the 1950s and founded the Action Group party. No Nigerian, educated or not, can dispute Awolowo’s developmental and progressive influence, which has made his region one that other sections of the country follow and envy, whether in the ancient western region, modern southwestern Nigeria, or the entire country. The policies that his party successfully implemented—free health care, free education at all levels, full employment for all residents, and integrated rural development—were deemed too idealistic to be implemented by the nation’s succeeding administrations.

Awolowo’s ability to oppose is unselfish, intellectually critical, and prophetic. The “ship of state is fast approaching a huge rock,” he said in a 1981 letter to President Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria, or NPN, warning that Nigeria would suffer “unspeakable disaster” if nothing changed.

His warning was unheard, and the disastrous results are, as they say, history. In the southwest region of Nigeria, no political party has been able to duplicate the Awolowo uniform cardinal program magic wand, not even in modern-day Nigeria.

The authoritarian Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida established a Political Bureau under the leadership of Professor Samuel Cookey just months after seizing power in a military takeover in August 1985. As was to be expected at the time, Awolowo was one of several prominent Nigerians invited by the Bureau. But when no one else did, Awolowo bravely identified the Babangida abracadabra in his letter to Professor Cookey dated February 28, 1986. “I do fervently and will continue to fervently pray that I may be proved wrong,” he said, speaking truth to ruthless military force. Because something in me makes it quite evident that the search we have started is pointless. We would ultimately be quite disappointed when we imagine that the new order has arrived. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current president of Nigeria, was one of the members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) group that emerged from the horrific conclusion of that experience, which prevented Nigeria from having its best elections ever. At the time, few Nigerians took him seriously.

No opposition leader in modern-day Nigeria possesses the political ideological discipline and selflessness of an Awolowo. Across current political boundaries, we now have avaricious political harlots posing as advocates for the public. They attack the current administration and ruling leaders for financial and appointment chances and criticize for their own personal gain rather than the good of the group.

Awolowo offered a strong basis of political resistance. Whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying his political savvy, moral integrity, and unwavering discipline. The administration of that day trembled when Awolowo spoke. He was the moral and political conscience of his day, something Nigeria has yet to replicate. Awolowo offered alternative viewpoints free of pointless oppositional critique in response to a shared national dilemma.

In contrast to Awolowo’s selfless oppositional model, modern opposition squandered a great deal of time, effort, and money settling preventable internal party disputes and divisions, leaving little opportunity for any significant checks on the current administration.

There are several instances of power struggles and splits among the nation’s current political parties that hinder the development of significant opposition. Leaders’ avarice for power and insatiable desire for financial gain have put the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) in an avoidable political bind.

These political parties’ leaders lack the political legitimacy and qualifications necessary to persuade voters that they are desirable alternatives to the current administration.

Is it Peter Obi or Atiku Abubakar who have crossed political parties in their excessive desire to control this nation, in violation of any recognized ideology? Is Rabiu Kwankwaso or any of the former politicians running for president without any set policy programs or principles?

Nigeria’s opposition is dispersed and lacks coherence. Without a cohesive or alternative vision for governance, they continue to harbor the fantasy of taking power in this chaotic condition. Where is the intended strategic course instead of the opposition’s present disorganized and feeble front?

Is it possible for the current opposition to hold the ruling party effectively accountable? The opposition of today lacks a clear ideology. Instead of reinforcing their opposing base, they are more concerned with facilitating easy alignment with the ruling party. Due to the absence of a strong message from the political establishment, it is understandable why the opposition consistently finds it difficult to carve out a place in the electoral landscape.

Today’s opposition is still looking for a “Awolowo,” and finding answers to the nation’s ongoing security and economic problems is becoming more and more difficult.

The post Where Is Awolowo’s Legacy in Today’s Opposition? appeared first on TheNigerian.

As Nigerians are being driven to the brink due to alleged human rights violations, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that a revolution may break out in the nation.

When Atiku visited Kaduna State on Thursday night to show support for Nasir El-rufai, the former governor, who battled with security personnel at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja from Cairo, Egypt, Atiku remarked.

Recall that the former governor was attempted to be arrested at the airport by agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, who had confiscated his international passport.

Speaking during the visit, Atiku claimed that the way Nigerians at the airport opposed the arrest must have taught the government a valuable lesson.

“I hope they will learn from what they witnessed at the airport because it was individuals who resisted the arrest on their own,” he said.

They fail to realize that a revolution may break out in this nation as people will no longer put up with the infringement of their human rights.

“What transpired at the airport was completely inappropriate.”

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