...as experts warn on Nigeria’s democratic and economic decline
Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory came under sharp scrutiny in Lagos on Thursday as Governor Alex Chioma Otti, the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Obi of Onitsha Nnaemeka Achebe, and former Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Ike Nwachukwu urged Nigerians to adopt more pragmatic approaches in selecting leaders, warning that poor political choices and voter apathy are deepening the country’s governance and economic crises.
The remarks were made at the 2026 annual lecture of The Niche, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, themed “Governing the Economy: Choices, Trade-offs, and National Priorities.”
Otti raises alarm over falling voter participation
Delivering the keynote lecture, Governor Otti warned that declining voter turnout poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and economic stability, noting that leadership outcomes are increasingly determined by a shrinking portion of the electorate.
He revealed that voter participation has dropped from 57 per cent in 2011 to below 30 per cent in the 2023 general elections.
“What this means is that only about three out of every ten eligible voters now decide who governs the country,” Otti said.
According to him, the trend undermines accountability and weakens democratic legitimacy.
“The majority of citizens are withdrawing from the political process, yet the consequences of leadership decisions affect everyone,” he added.
Otti urged Nigerians to see political participation as a civic responsibility that extends beyond election day.
“You cannot say you love your country and remain indifferent to who governs it,” he said.
He stressed that citizens must pay closer attention to candidates’ competence, ideologies, and governance philosophies.
Economic hardship linked to political choices
The Abia governor said Nigeria’s economic challenges are not accidental but the outcome of decades of political decisions.
He warned that ignoring civic engagement only worsens governance outcomes.
“Economic decline is directly tied to political choices made over time,” he said.
Otti also cautioned against electoral malpractice and vote-buying, saying they produce leaders more focused on personal recovery than public service.
“When elections become transactional, governance becomes extractive,” he warned.
He maintained that Nigeria’s recovery depends on informed leadership selection and sustained civic pressure for accountability.
Sanusi: Politics has become a profit-driven enterprise
In his contribution, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, said Nigeria’s political system has been overtaken by financial interests, turning public office into a means of wealth accumulation rather than service delivery.
He argued that Nigeria’s economic hardship could have been less severe if key reforms, particularly fuel subsidy removal, had been implemented earlier.
Sanusi criticised the handling of recent economic reforms, saying poor sequencing has worsened inflationary pressures and currency instability.
“If you liberalise the economy in a loose monetary environment, the consequences are inevitable,” he said.
He also questioned continued government borrowing despite subsidy removal, insisting that citizens must begin to see tangible benefits of reforms.
Sanusi further warned that Nigeria must clearly define its governance model, noting that countries either function as developmental states or degenerate into rent-seeking systems.
“If governance is about enrichment, policy will always reflect that,” he said.
Achebe: Nigeria suffers from too much politics, too little governance.
The Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, who chaired the event, lamented what he described as Nigeria’s excessive focus on politics at the expense of governance.
He said political competition has become a near-permanent activity, distracting from real development work.
“In Nigeria, politics never stops, but governance suffers,” he said.
Achebe called for reforms that would allow independent candidacy, arguing that leadership selection should be based on competence rather than party affiliation.
He praised Governor Otti’s performance in Abia State, describing him as a “ray of hope” whose leadership has demonstrated that effective governance is possible in Nigeria.
He also warned that reform-minded leaders often face resistance from entrenched interests who benefit from the status quo.
“When you try to change systems, those who benefit from dysfunction resist,” he said.
Nwachukwu praises Otti, calls for restructuring
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Ike Nwachukwu said he now feels a renewed sense of pride in being from Abia State due to Governor Otti’s performance.
“We must commend Governor Otti. For the first time in years, I feel proud to say I am from Abia State,” he said.
Nwachukwu, a former military governor and senator, used the occasion to advocate restructuring, insisting that Nigeria must return to true federalism to achieve meaningful progress.
He argued that the current structure limits efficiency and accountability, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity requires stronger decentralisation.
“We need proper federalism and proper democracy,” he said.
He also maintained that no Nigerian state is economically unviable if properly managed.
“All states have resources and potential. What is needed is competent leadership,” he added.
Broad consensus on leadership reform
Across all speeches and discussions, a common theme emerged: Nigeria’s development challenges are rooted in leadership choices and citizen disengagement.
Panelists and participants agreed that voter apathy, transactional politics, and weak accountability systems continue to undermine governance and economic progress.
The event also featured a panel session moderated by Prof. Anthony Kila, with contributions from labour leader Joe Ajaero, Dr. Jumoke Ogunleye of the University of Lagos, and chartered accountant Anogwi Anyanwu.
Other dignitaries present included Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, Sam Ohuabunwa, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, and several policymakers and academics.
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