Former Military Administrator of Oyo and Taraba states, Prince Amen Oyakhire, has said Nigeria’s democratic future depends on the emergence of selfless, competent and patriotic leaders elected through free, fair and transparent elections.
In a statement on Friday, Oyakhire argued that the country would only overcome its governance challenges when citizens are allowed to freely choose leaders who place public service above personal interests. He maintained that Nigeria needs leaders with integrity, courage, competence and compassion who are committed to the welfare of the people.
The retired military administrator said credible elections remain the bedrock of genuine democracy, expressing concern that flaws in the country’s electoral process have weakened public confidence in democratic governance. According to him, accountability, transparency and effective public institutions are essential for democracy to deliver its promised dividends.
Oyakhire criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that the electoral body had suffered credibility challenges since the return to democratic rule in 1999. He claimed that controversies surrounding several elections had eroded public trust in the commission and contributed to prolonged post-election litigation.
He recalled that some past elections were characterised by allegations of irregularities, violence, voter disenfranchisement and disputes that were eventually resolved by election tribunals and the courts. He added that credible electoral institutions are indispensable for sustainable democracy and national development.
The former military governor proposed that future chairmen of INEC should be retired justices of the Supreme Court with proven integrity and impeccable character, arguing that such appointments would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
Oyakhire further urged political leaders to make the welfare and security of Nigerians the centrepiece of governance, stressing that governments should be responsive, accountable and committed to serving the common good. He also called for stronger democratic institutions, an independent judiciary, a responsible press and an active citizenry to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
“Democracy kills globally. In Nigeria, violent election kills because of political intolerance, dichotomy, winner takes it all and the wild practice of politics of bitterness. Democracy is the most widely acceptable system of government globally because of its large participation by citizens in every country. It is, however, not the best System of governance. In democracy, electees in government are expected to work hard, perform well, respect and even fear the citizens who voted them into office. In Nigeria, on the contrary, the citizens fear those in government because political leaders are majorly responsible for blood letting in governance.”
“Our country urgently needs men and women who are healthy in integrity, clear-thinking, competent, creative, disciplined, patriotic and resourceful to occupy positions of authority. Nigeria will perform better when governed by leaders who are elected through fair, free, peaceful and transparent processes,” he said.
“The administration of such leaders will make the welfare of citizens the centrepiece of its economic policy because governance is about people, security and welfare. Indeed, government is legally and morally expected to attend seriously to the welfare needs of citizens in every country. Besides, Nigeria will definitely perform better in its body polity by the deliberate involvement of tried, tested and trusted persons with attestable track records of patriotic service regardless of party partisanship. This modus operandi in a presidential system enables the president in a country to bring into governance some of the brightest brains, the best informed minds, most competent, resourceful and patriotic citizens in a country. The executive, legislature and the judiciary must truly be independent and strong in the execution of their duties. They shall be supported by a free and responsible press and an enlightened citizenry. Apathy must be avoided because the tyranny of a royal prince in an oligarchy (the government of a few powerful people) is not as dangerous to public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy,” he declared.