Stakeholders Call for Responsible Governance Over Political Manoeuvring at Advocate Annual Lecture
UGHELLI/Nigeria: A broad spectrum of stakeholders from governance, academia, civil society, and the media have urged Nigeria’s leadership to prioritize responsible governance over political maneuvering in order to secure the nation’s future. The call came during the second edition of the Advocate Publication Ltd Annual Lecture Series, held on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, Delta State.
The keynote speaker, Professor Abanum Innocent Ifelunini, a development economist, attributed Nigeria’s slow pace of development to the pervasive politicization of governance. He warned that the nation’s growth would remain stunted unless long-term strategic planning was placed ahead of short-term political interests. “When short-term political interests take precedence over long-term planning, there can be no meaningful development. We must rethink politics and insist on responsible governance,” Ifelunini stressed.
Olorogun Austin Emaduku, Chairman of the event, echoed this sentiment, asserting that while politics and governance are often seen as separate entities, they must work in harmony for the benefit of the nation. “Governance is about policy implementation, while politics is about power dynamics. But if power is pursued without a governance agenda, the people suffer,” Emaduku remarked, emphasizing the need for a balance that ensures both aspects serve the national interest.
In his welcome address, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, CEO of Advocate Publication Ltd, condemned the growing trend of political leaders prioritizing political survival over governance. “We are disturbed by a trend where the obsession with political survival overshadows the responsibility of governance. Officeholders get sworn in and immediately begin preparing for the next election,” Onitsha observed, underscoring the need for a shift in mindset among political leaders.
Onitsha also questioned the value of politics if it does not result in tangible development, calling the lecture series “a platform for nation-building” aimed at inspiring a reset in both political thinking and practice. “This is our contribution to the conversation — to inspire change among our political leaders,” he added.
Ambassador Pas Edewor Egedegbe, Executive Director of Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative and moderator of the event’s panel session, challenged Nigerian citizens to remain engaged in governance beyond election cycles. “Too many Nigerians only wake up during elections and go back to sleep afterward. Governance begins where politics ends — we must learn to hold leaders accountable all year round,” he said, stressing the importance of continuous civic engagement.
With ongoing political developments in Delta State, Egedegbe noted the timeliness of discussions like the Advocate Lecture. “The relevance of this conversation cannot be overstated. Citizens must stop clapping for politicians who fail to deliver. Our silence is complicity,” he warned, urging citizens to demand more from their leaders.
Speaking to journalists after the event, Professor Ifelunini reiterated the importance of policy continuity in governance. “Governance must not stop because politics is heating up. Politicians must understand that true leadership means looking beyond the next election,” he explained.
Onitsha, in a passionate remark, lamented the national crisis of misplaced priorities, where political campaigns often overshadow governance. “Even at the federal and state levels, midway into political terms, we see more campaigns and power plays than policy conversations. Where then is governance?” he asked rhetorically.
He cautioned that unless governance takes precedence over political ambition, Nigeria would continue to suffer from cycles of poverty and stagnation. “If governance continues to be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition, we will keep recycling poverty and stagnation,” Onitsha warned.
The panelists, including Professor Andrew Agboro, Ambassador Stella Odika, and Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, all emphasized the urgent need for electoral reforms, stronger institutions, and public enlightenment as key steps toward bridging the gap between governance and politics.
Participants commended Advocate Newspaper for organizing the lecture, with one attendee describing the event as “not just a lecture, but a wake-up call.” The consensus among those present was clear: for Nigeria to achieve lasting development, governance must once again take precedence over political ambition, and leadership must be redefined as a service to the people rather than a race for survival.
