Former Minister of Education and Founder of School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has asserted that Nigeria’s economic challenges stem from a deficiency in quality political leadership.
Ezekwesili, who spoke at the inaugural session of the SPPG Distinguished Guest Speaker Series, emphasised the urgent need for a new constitution, along with political, electoral, and economic restructuring, to address the root causes of the nation’s woes.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Power, Performance and Legitimacy: Renewing Global Democratic Momentum’, she explained that the central thesis of #FixPolitics research was that “the absence of good governance is the greatest obstacle to Nigeria’s economic development.”
Ezekwesili revealed that, “failure of the country’s variant of politics and public leadership inherently subverts public good and places their personal and narrow interests above the collective wellbeing of citizens. Whether it is 2020 or 2060, nothing about Nigeria can change without a transformation of its politics.”
She added that African politicians have not delivered on the contract between them and the people.
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Advocating for an unconventional approach, Ezekwesili called for the establishment of the SPPG to introduce a new breed of value-based politicians into the political arena.
She proposed a customized curriculum on ethical politics, policy, and governance to cultivate a political culture that prioritizes the collective welfare of Nigerians over personal interests.
Furthermore, Ezekwesili urged Nigerians to mobilize collectively, emphasizing the necessity to demand a new constitution and advocate for political, electoral, and economic restructuring. She asserted that only through unified citizen action can the three arms of government respond urgently to prevent the nation’s potential collapse, citing Nigeria’s current position as the 13th country on the global ranking of failed states.
In tandem with Ezekwesili’s concerns, Prof Larry Diamond from Stanford University, USA, condemned the prevailing practice where the ruling party controls the political space, manipulates the electoral process, and obstructs credible elections.