"Until Money Stops Dictating Who Gets to Lead, Nigeria will Remain in the Grip of Corrupt and Incompetent Rulers" - Prof Attahiru Jega
By: Olufemi Orunsola
Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has harped on the need to put an end to money bags politics in Nigeria, noting that Nigeria’s current democratic system will continue to recycle poor and self-serving leadership who prioritize personal gains over national progress.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the former Chairman of the country’s electoral umpire made this known while speaking as the keynote speaker at the 3rd Hybrid Annual National Conference of the Department of Political Science, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.
The conference, themed “Leadership, Democracy and Nigeria’s National Development”, attracted top policymakers, academics, and traditional rulers.
Prof Jega observed that the absence of responsible and visionary leaders has left the country trapped in cycles of underdevelopment and citizen frustration.
In his words, "Until money stops dictating who gets to lead, Nigeria will remain in the grip of corrupt and incompetent rulers.”
Prof Jega who emphasized that leadership, democracy, and national development are inseparable pillars of a nation’s progress lamented that Nigeria’s ruling class deliberately weaponised poverty, using public office for personal gain.
He therefore stressed that "Without responsible and visionary leadership, democracy cannot thrive; without democratic principles, leadership risks devolving into authoritarianism."
He appealed to the political elite in Nigeria to embrace accountability and selflessness, insisting that “democracy must be about service, not self-enrichment".
OTN News further reports that the conference was graced by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, represented by his Commissioner for Education, Malam Wadatau Madawaki, who affirmed that the gathering offered policymakers a platform to rethink governance and address leadership decay.
Also in attendance was the Emir of Kaura Namoda, HRH Major (Dr) Mohammed Ahmad Asha (Rtd), and the Vice Chancellor of FUGUS, Prof. Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau (represented), hailed the conference for its relevance at a time of deep social and security challenges.
Dr. Aminu Idris, Head of the Department of Political Science and host of the event, described the forum as “transformative,” praising the state government for its support.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Comrade Abdulrahman Adamu, however, decried the monetisation of Nigerian politics, saying it continues to deny the nation opportunities for competent and sound leadership.
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