Notable personalities including Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, former Ogun State governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel; the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams; former deputy governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and others, yesterday, blamed leaders and citizens for the problems confronting Nigeria.
They spoke at the Freedom On-line’s 6th annual lecture, titled: ‘Nigeria’s Socio-Political Challenges: Whose Fault, Leaders or the Led?’, held at Sheraton Hotel, in Ikeja, Lagos.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by a former deputy governor of Rivers State, Mr Tele Ikuru, pointed out that Nigeria faces several socio-political challenges that have persisted over the years.
He, however, insisted that for Nigeria to move forward, the present crop of leaders must be accountable and work for the people.
He said: “The question before us today demands deep reflection: ‘Are Nigeria’s socio-political challenges the fault of the leaders or the led?’ This question is not new. It has shaped discussions in policy circles, academic debates, and everyday conversations among Nigerians.
“To understand this, we must look at governance, accountability and citizen participation. This lecture will examine the role of both leaders and the people in shaping our socio-political landscape and propose ways forward for better governance and civic engagement.
“A leader is an individual or group entrusted with the responsibility of making decisions, setting policies and guiding a society or organisation towards development. Leaders in Nigeria include elected officials such as the President, Governors, Legislators and other political appointees, who have the mandate to serve the public and implement policies for national progress. Importantly, leaders are selected from among the led and thus are a microcosm of the society. This means that the values, attitudes, and behaviors of the general populace are often reflected in the leadership they produce.
“The led, on the other hand, refers to the general populace—the citizens who entrust their leaders with authority through elections. They include voters, taxpayers, and all Nigerians who play a role in shaping governance through their participation in democratic processes. The led have the power to influence leadership by making informed choices and holding leaders accountable for their actions.
“Nigeria,” the governor warned, “faces several socio-political challenges that have persisted over the years,” adding that despite being rich in natural resources, Nigeria struggles with economic diversification.”
Speaking on the failure of institutions, the governor faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for failing to uphold the law concerning political defections.
He said: “Institutions are supposed to act as checks and balances, but Nigeria’s weak institutions have further exacerbated governance challenges. The judiciary, legislature, security agencies, and electoral bodies often operate under political influence, undermining their effectiveness. For instance INEC has failed to uphold the law concerning political defections.”
On the roles of the citizens, he said: “While leaders play a key role, the people also have responsibilities. The saying, ‘a people deserve the leaders they get’, implies that citizens have a hand in determining the quality of leadership.
“The future of Nigeria depends on us. The question is: ‘Are we ready to take responsibility?”
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In his remarks, Chairman of the event, former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Olabode George, commended former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd), saying the problem of Nigeria did not start during his regime.
He said: “General Babangida gave us his memoir. The memories that have been in a very dark bubble for a very long time, and decided to ease out his mind by writing that story, which has germinated in every nook and cranny of this country.
“I have listened separately to so many commentators. Some positive, some negative, some even very abusive. But he decided to put pen to paper, to ease his mind, and was the epicentre of the operation at that time. Rather than say he has said his story, let examine the details as stated by him. Have we learned any lesson? Are things different since that time? Or things have been growing worse by the hour?
“So, what is our problem? Why are we still not growing? Where is that giant of Africa? Since the Babangida/Abiola saga, we have had so many lectures.
“I don’t know how many people had grown up during 1962 crisis in the West. That’s when it started. What has happened? It just didn’t start with IBB. It started since 1962.”
Leaders have displayed nonchalant attitude to governance—Gani Adams
In his remarks, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams accused leaders for displaying non challa t attitude to governance.
He said: “Leaders have displayed a nonchalant attitude to the governance of the country where the led throwaway their franchise because of inducement. The Edo and Ondo states experience should give a serious minded Nigerian concern about our democracy. The democracy that we fought for is gradually going to the grave. We need to do something drastically to reform our electoral process. If we want a good election in this country, Nigeria has to call for the removal of the incumbent Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.”
We have leadership problem —Sen Daniel
On his part, former Ogun State governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel attributed Nigeria’s problem to leadership.
Daniel also declared that Nigeria will not be developed by foreigners.
He said: “At the centre of the issue between the leaders and led is education. I want to subscribe to the fact that the majority of the problem lies with leadership. Nobody can develop this country for us, we have to do it ourselves. The solution to our problem is that whether we like it or not, we have to patronise ourselves. While the leadership tries to look inwards, followers should also try to modify their expectations. The problem we have as a country is that we are still spreading our resources on things that we can do here.”
