Politics
BIODATA OF HON. PRINCE CHINEDU NSOFOR (KPAKPANDO NDIGBO) FRONT-LINE PDP SENATORIAL ASPIRANT FOR ANAMBRA SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT
BIODATA OF HON. PRINCE CHINEDU NSOFOR (KPAKPANDO NDIGBO) FRONT-LINE PDP SENATORIAL ASPIRANT FOR ANAMBRA SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT
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Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 24th March, 1990
Marital Status: Married
State of Origin: Anambra State
L.G.A: Ekwusigo
Nationality: Nigerian
Religion: Christianity
PERSONALITY
A visionary leader with a servant-hearted disposition, deeply rooted in the conviction that genuine leadership is first an act of service. From an early stage in life, he embraced the responsibility of contributing meaningfully to society, especially in the development and empowerment of Nigerian youths and students. This passion has consistently shaped his personal and professional journey, guiding his engagement with various institutions and communities across Nigeria.
He possesses a unique blend of humility and initiative, always striving to understand institutional dynamics and tailor innovative solutions to complex challenges. His leadership style is people-centered, inclusive, and adaptive—anchored on strong moral values, emotional intelligence, and a strategic mindset. Whether in grassroots mobilization, policy advocacy, organizational management, or capacity-building, he approaches each responsibility with dedication and foresight.
Politically, he embodies the traits of a transformational servant-leader—someone who understands the pulse of the people and remains committed to participatory governance, equity, and sustainable development. He envisions a system where leadership is not a privilege but a platform for impact, transparency, and national progress. With a deep awareness of Nigeria’s socio-political realities, he advocates for youth involvement in politics, institutional reforms, and inclusive policies that address the needs of the underserved. His track record reflects a consistent pursuit of excellence, community engagement, and nation-building, making him a dependable force for constructive change in any organizational, civic, or political structure.
INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED.
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Obomosho, Oyo State 2015-2016
Dunamis School of Ministry (January 2016 – June 2016)
University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 2008-2012
Maryrays Secondary School, Fegge Onitsha, Anambra State 2002-2008
Maryrays Primary School, Fegge Onitsha, Anambra State 1996-2002
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
PhD (Social Work in view)
M.sc (Social Work)
B.sc. (Social Work) Second- Class Upper Division
Project Management Training Programme at Abuja Graduate School
Advanced Leadership Training Programme
Strategic Leadership Training
Basic Certificate of Discipleship and Leadership Training Course
Basic Leadership Course
Basic Certificate in Computer Operation AfriHUB Centre UNN.
Senior Secondary School Certificate
Junior Secondary School Certificate
First School Leaving Certificate
PUBLIC SERVICE/ WORK EXPERIENCE
MD/CEO Work While in School Group (Comprising Work While in School Media Ltd, Work While in School Ventures Ltd, Work while in School Construction Company ltd, Work While in School Foundation and other subsidiaries)
Nigeria’s Country Director RapidHeal International (Global headquarters in Malaysia) 14th August 2024 till date
Nigeria’s Programmes Director Asia Pacific Sports International (24th March 2023 till date)
Programmes Director Nigeria Association of Economists (4th April 2022 till Date)
National Coordinator G INITIATIVE (30th March 2022 till date)
Member Management Committee of Global Coalition for Sustainable Environment (17th March till date)
Member Imo State Government’s Committee on Science and Technology Road Map 2020-2030 (December 2020-January 2022).
Special Assistant (Special Duties/Special Projects) to Chief Dr. E.C Iwuanyanwu CFR,OFR,MFR,FNICE,FNIST,FNSE,KSC -AHAEJIAGAMBA NDIGBO (Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Elders) (1st August-24th March 2022)
Board Secretary Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance Foundation 2019-24th March 2022)
National Co-ordinator Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance Foundation (1st August-24th March 2022)
Co-ordinator Iwuanyanwu Foundation (1st August 2017-24th March 2022)
Founder Work While in School Venture Ltd; a company that is currently in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria via the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) for the implementation of Work While in School Programmes in all Colleges of Education in Nigeria.
Coordinator IMOFINTECH Programme for five thousand Imo youths organized by the Imo State Government in partnership with Iwuanyanwu Foundation on October-December 2019
Programme Coordinator of Safety training for Ambulance Drivers in South East Nigeria during COVID19 2021
Coordinator Central Bank of Nigeria-South East Entrepreneurship Development Centre’s Programme; Owerri Study centre. 2018
Programme Coordinator of the Median edition of Inter secondary school debate competition for all secondary schools in Abuja 2018, organized by Federal Road Safety Corps in partnership with Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance Foundation.
Coordinator 2017 Accident free Ember Month Programme of Federal Road Safety Corp (Owerri Safety Command) and Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance Foundation
Programme Coordinator of Imo State and Ebonyi State Free Automobile training Programme organized by Innoson Kiara Academy in partnership with Iwuanyanwu Foundation and Imo and Ebonyi State Governments respectively 2021
Programme Coordinator Free Physiotherapy Treatment Intervention Programme for Arthritis, Neck Pain, Back Pain, Waist Pain Patients in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State on 3rd and 4th Dec. 2021
Programmes Manager El-Bethel Global Business School (14th December 2015-30th September 2017).
Programme Co-coordinator of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Programme Abuja Study Centre (April 2015-December 14th 2015).
Programme Co-ordinator of 20 days NAPSAS/National Power Training Institute training Abuja May 2015
Programme Co-coordinator National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN)/SURE-P TVET) training for Graduate Engineers held in Lagos (February-March) 2015.
Business Development Executive at Abuja Graduate School-AGS (September 2014-December 14th 2015)
South Eastern Nigeria Advocate/AMAC-FCT Administrative Secretary of Citizens Club of Nigeria ( March 2014-September 2014)
Admin/ Transport Officer at The Presidency SURE-P National Secretariat Abuja (NYSC March 2013-March 2014)
Networks Manager University of Nigeria Book of Fame Project – Who is who in UNN (2011 – till date).
Programme Coordinator of the 2nd Edition of 7 days Work While in School Conference in UNN for about 3000 students organized by Work While in School Foundation, in partnership with Institute of African Studies UNN.
Project Cordinator of Global Impact Show organized by Great Minds International and powered by the Faculty of Social Sciences UNN. 2012
As a student /Igwe of the Faculty of Social Sciences UNN, he organized the Faculty of Social Sciences New Yam Festival in 2010 an event that witnessed the presence of the Senior Special Assistant to the Present FGN on Special Duties/Project who doubled as Secretary Presidential Task Force on Power among other national dignitaries that were present in 2010.
Coordinator of the 1st Work while in School Conference in UNN (2011) for all third year students (over 4,000 students) organized by Work While in School Foundation in collaboration with the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research UNN the programme. The Programme went down on records as the biggest student entrepreneurship conference in the history of UNN, thus Chinedu Nsofor became the first student in the history of UNN to sign an MOU with the University to implement this Initiative and other projects Nationwide.
Coordinator of the 7days African Education and ICT conference by WORKWIS Foundation and Institute of African Studies, UNN (March 2010) the conference attracted the renewal of the N5million Annual scholarship grant of Dr. Sam Onyishi Foundation, including a fifty million naira donation to the University. During the Conference, over 5,000 UNN students across seven selected Faculties were trained in various skills 2011
National Secretary, Odumegwu Ojukwu G24 Forum 2012 till date
National Coordinator/ Board Secretary, Igbo Heroes Foundation 2011 till date
Founder, Work While in School Foundation ( WORKWIS ) Foundation
Member, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research UNN/WORKWIS Foundation Joint committee on Work While in School Projects.2011-2012
Chairman Otu Subakwa Igbo UNN chapter; an association with Prof Pita Ejiofor (former Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK as National President) 2011-2012.
Member, Institute of African studies UNN committee on conferences and seminars 2011-2012
Marketing Manager, SOCIOSCOPE LIVE MAGAZINE (official magazine of the Faculty of Social Sciences UNN, office of the Dean) 2011-2012.
Igwe, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNN 2010-2012
Secretary Youth and Dreams Leadership Forum UNN chapter 2008-2012
President, Press Club Mayrays Secondary School, Fegge Onistha 2007-2008
Labour Prefect, Maryrays Secondary School.,Fegge Onitsha 2007-2008
SKILLS:
My skills include networking and stakeholder engagement, human capacity building, project management, event management, proposal and grant writing, social work and community development, youth mobilization and advocacy, ICT and digital proficiency, entrepreneurial and business development skills, public speaking and communication, financial literacy and management, strategic leadership, political strategy and policy development, legislative and governance knowledge, conflict resolution and mediation, campaign and electoral management, advocacy and public policy engagement, as well as servant leadership and ethical governance.
SPEECHES:
Delivered Inaugural Speech of the 1st University of Nigeria Work While in School Programme held on 5th December, 2011.
Delivered a Module on Entrepreneurship Development during SURE-P GIS training in Enugu State 31stDecember, 2014
Delivered Modules on Entrepreneurship Development in Graduate Internship Scheme of the Federal Ministry of Finance on 7th September 2016 at Bayelsa State.
Delivered a speech on the theme; Work While in School in Entrepreneurship Programme of School of Arts, Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri on 17th May 2016.
Delivered a speech on Restructuring; a panacea to peaceful coexistence in Nigeria on Saturday 14th August 2021
BOOKS WRITTEN:
Unaegbu, J., Chukwu, S. & Nsofor, C. (2017). Amazing Grace (A Biography of Chief Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, CFR, AhaejiagambaNdigbo).
Nsofor C., Unaegbu, J. (2016). Work While in School (the Students with Innovation Guide book)
Nsofor C. (2015) Abuja Graduate School- Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Operations Manual
Nsofor C. (2015) Abuja Graduate School-Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) Operations Manual
Nsofor C. (2015) Operations Manual for coordinating training Programme in Abuja Graduate School
AWARDS/ RECOGNITIONS
Leadership Excellence Award (Rotract Club UNN) 2012
Premier Alumini Award by the Department of Social Work University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Spotlight Medalist on Entrepreneurship (Big Brothers Award) 2011.
Meritorious Service Award (National Association of Social Work Students, UNN) 2012.
Most Acknowledged Personality of the year (History and Archeology Students Association, UNN) 2012.
Most Political Student of UNN (Nigerian Engineering Students Association, UNN) 2012
Most Popular Student Award (National Association of Social Work Students, UNN) 2012.
UNN Raiser of the year Award (Golden Heart Foundation Lagos and Trailblazers UNN) 2011.
His Profile is published in the University of Nigeria Book Of Fame as an outstanding Personality of UNN for his contribution in the development and empowerment of students of UNN (UNN Book of Fame: WHO is WHO in UNN edited by Prof. Alex Animalu, Prof. Sam Onuigbo and Jeff Unaegbu.) 2012.
INNOVATIONS:
WORK WHILE IN SCHOOL INNOVATION
The current educational system in Nigeria stands as a stark deviation from the true essence of what education ought to be. At its core, education is meant to awaken and empower both the hands and the mind nurturing creativity, problem-solving abilities, and the innovative spirit necessary for both personal development and societal transformation.
Unfortunately, the creative dimension of education has been critically eroded within our system today. Graduates are often products of rote learning, trained merely to regurgitate information for the sake of passing examinations. As a result, many leave school mentally underutilized, fit only for routine administrative tasks and incapable of independent thought or innovation. They function more as tools for executing directives than as thinkers or change-makers.
This reality reflects a lingering shadow of the colonial legacy, whose agenda was to produce clerks, secretaries, accountants, and administrative officers individuals conditioned to serve without question, follow without innovation, and replicate without understanding. Education has sadly become a test of memory rather than a test of intelligence, and our institutions continue to produce individuals who have mastered the art of “copy and paste” rather than the skills of critical thinking, innovation, and meaningful engagement with real-world problems.
In light of this, the Work While in School initiative emerges as a bold and visionary response one designed to challenge this flawed status quo. It is not just a program, but a movement aimed at reawakening the minds of students, cultivating creativity, and reigniting purpose in education to the glory of God.
This initiative introduces a well-structured curriculum focused on invention, innovation, and idea generation. It seeks to align practical skill acquisition with each student’s field of study, ensuring that learning is both relevant and empowering. Furthermore, it instills timeless values and godly virtues, shaping students into principled leaders and value-driven individuals true agents of transformation for every age and generation.
HOBBIES
Listening to gospel music, deep worship and prayers, reading inspirational books and the Holy bible, logical reasoning, brainstorming, political discuss, youth empowerment/mobilization.
REFEREES.
Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (CFR, OFR, MFR, FNSE, FNICE, FNIST, KSC)
Former Chairman Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission and former Chairman Federal Emergency Management Board
08034209040
Chief Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife (PhD Harvard, CON)
Former Governor of Anambra State and former Chairman National Commission for Colleges of Education
08033110763
Prof. Osita Ogbu (OON,PhD Howard)
Former Chief Economic Adviser to the President of Nigeria/Former Minister for National Planning
0803 700 2500
MY CAPABILITY STATEMENT
I am a Professional Social Worker and Seasoned Technocrat, armed with a First Degree, Master’s Degree, and currently pursuing a PhD in Social Work. Over the past 12 years, I have dedicated my career to understanding and addressing the root causes of unemployment in Nigeria, and by the special grace of God, I have designed, developed, and executed sustainable job creation and wealth empowerment models that have impacted individuals, communities, and institutions across the country.
My extensive fieldwork and innovative thinking have directly empowered over 50,000 Nigerian youths with actionable skills for self-reliance and wealth generation. Through flagship initiatives such as the Work While in School Programmes in tertiary institutions nationwide, and collaborative empowerment campaigns under the Iwuanyanwu Foundation in partnership with various state governments, I have consistently championed youth productivity and inclusive economic growth.
A notable example of my impact is the successful coordination of the Imo FINTECH Programme, which trained and equipped 5,000 Imo youths to participate in the digital financial services sector. Many of the beneficiaries have become successful mobile money agents, contributing to the decentralization of the financial sector and drastically reducing unemployment in the region.
I am divinely endowed with wisdom and strategic foresight, possessing what many have called a Midas touch—the ability to transform systemic challenges into tangible opportunities and sustainable prosperity. My strengths lie in my versatility and innovative mindset, sharpened through professional training and mentorship in Social Work, Business Development, Project Management, and Organizational Leadership.
My track record spans across prestigious organizations and government initiatives, including the Nigeria Association of Economists, Global Coalition for Sustainable Environment, G Initiative, Iwuanyanwu Foundation, South East Entrepreneurship Development Centre/CBN Imo Study Centre, Imo State Science and Technology Roadmap Committee (2020–2030), Work While in School Foundation, Abuja Graduate School, El-Bethel Global Business School, and the Federal Government’s Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), among others.
Politically, I represent the embodiment of transformational leadership and servant governance. I believe leadership is a sacred trust—a platform for national renewal and social inclusion. My work reflects a grassroots-to-policy approach, combining field-based experience with strategic advocacy to influence state and national policy directions, especially on youth empowerment, education, employment, and digital innovation.
As I continue to serve, I remain committed to mobilizing youth-driven political participation, bridging the gap between citizens and government, and driving sustainable development through policies that create jobs, build human capital, and ignite the entrepreneurial spirit of our nation.
SIGNED
CHINEDU NSOFOR BSc. MSc.
A Professional Social Worker, a Seasoned Technocrat and a Disruptive Change Agent
Front-line PDP Senatorial Aspirant for Anambra South Senatorial District
Kogi’s Quiet Shift: Reviewing Governor Ododo’s First 24 Months in Office
By Rowland Olonishuwa
On Tuesday, Kogi State paused to mark two years since Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo took the oath as Executive Governor. Across government circles, community halls, and everyday conversations, the anniversary was more than a date on the calendar; it was a milestone that invites both reflection and renewed optimism. A moment to look back at how far the state has travelled in just twenty-four months, and where it is heading next.
Since assuming office in January 2024, Ododo has steered the state through a period of measured consolidation, delivering strategic interventions across security, infrastructure, human capital, and economic revitalisation that are beginning to translate into real improvements for residents.
Governor Ododo stepped into office at a time when expectations were high, and confidence in public institutions needed rebuilding.
His response to these was not loud declarations, but steady consolidation, strengthening structures, restoring order in governance, and setting a clear direction. Over time, that calm approach has become his signature: leadership that listens first, plans carefully, and moves with purpose.
Security has remained the most urgent concern for Nigerians, and Kogi residents are no exceptions; the Ododo-led administration has treated it as such. From deploying surveillance drones to support intelligence operations to recruiting and integrating local hunters and vigilante personnel into formal security frameworks, the government has built a layered safety net.
For farmers returning to their fields, travellers moving along highways, and families in rural communities, the impact is simple and deeply personal: fewer fears, quicker response, and growing confidence that the government is present and concerned about the ordinary people.
Infrastructural development has followed the same practical logic. Roads have been rehabilitated, easing movement for traders and commuters. Budget priorities have shifted toward capital projects and human development, while revived facilities like the Confluence Rice Mill now provide farmers with real economic opportunity. For many households, this means better income prospects, stronger local trade, and renewed belief that development is no longer a distant promise.
Health and education are not left out; the Ododo-led administration has expanded free healthcare services and supported students through examination funding and institutional improvements.
Parents who once struggled with medical bills and school fees have felt relief. Young people preparing for their futures now see government investment not as abstract policy but as something that touches their daily lives.
Governance reforms, from civil service strengthening to new legislative frameworks, have quietly improved how government functions. Salaries are more predictable, public offices are more responsive, and local government structures are more coordinated. These may not always make headlines, but they shape how citizens experience leadership every day.
As the second year anniversary celebrations fade into routine today and Governor Ododo enters his third year in office, the true meaning of the anniversary will continue to linger on.
Two years may not have solved every challenge in the Confluence State -no government ever does, by the way- but they have set a tone of stability, responsiveness, and direction. The next phase will demand deeper impact, broader reach, and sustained security gains.
But for many in Kogi State, the story of the past twenty-four months is already clear: steady hands on the wheel, and a journey that is firmly underway.
Olonishuwa is the Editor-in-Chief of Newshubmag.com. He writes from Ilorin
Lagos Assembly Debunks Abuja House Rumour, Warns Against Election Season Propaganda
The Lagos State House of Assembly has described as misleading and mischievous the widespread misinformation that it budgeted for the purchase of houses in Abuja for its members in the 2026 Appropriation Law.
This rebuttal is contained in a statement jointly signed by Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, and Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, Chairman, House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget.
Describing the report as a deliberate and disturbing falsehood being peddled by patently ignorant people, the statement reads, “There is no provision whatsoever in the 2026 Budget for the purchase of houses in Abuja or anywhere else for members of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The report is a complete fabrication and a product of political mischief intended to misinform the public.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly does not operate in Abuja. Our constitutional responsibilities, constituencies, and legislative duties are entirely within Lagos State. It is, therefore, illogical, irrational, and irresponsible for anyone to suggest that legislators would appropriate public funds for personal housing outside their jurisdiction.”
The statement emphasised that the budget is already in the public domain and accessible for scrutiny by discerning Lagosians and Nigerians alike. It reiterated that the Lagos State Government operates a transparent budget that speaks to the needs of the people and the demands of a megalopolis.
“We view this rumour as part of a wider attempt at election-season propaganda, designed to erode public trust, sow discord, and malign democratic institutions.”
The chairmen further clarified that the 2026 capital expenditure of the House of Assembly is less than 0.04% of the total CAPEX of the state, which clearly demonstrates the culture of prudence, accountability, and fiscal responsibility that guides the legislature. However, they noted, “Historically, the House does not even access up to its approved budget in many fiscal years.”
They stressed that the Assembly remains fully committed to excellence, transparency, good governance, and the collective welfare of the people of Lagos State, in line with the objectives of the 2026 Budget of Shared Prosperity.
“We therefore challenge those behind this harebrained allegation to produce credible evidence or retract their statements forthwith. Failure to do so may attract appropriate legal actions.
“We urge Lagosians and the general public to disregard this baseless rumour and always verify information from official and credible sources.”
Politics
Democracy in the Crosshairs: How Nigeria’s Ruling APC Weaponises Power and Silences Dissent
Democracy in the Crosshairs: How Nigeria’s Ruling APC Weaponises Power and Silences Dissent.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Tinubu’s Government, the EFCC and the Strategic Undermining of Opposition Governors”.
In a striking indictment of Nigeria’s current political reality, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared that “you cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation”, directly accusing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of intolerance for dissent and an erosion of democratic norms.
Makinde’s remarks (made during a public event in Ibadan on January 25, 2026) were more than a local governor’s lament. They crystallised a mounting national frustration: that Nigeria’s political landscape has tilted dangerously toward executive overreach, institutional capture and political engineering.
This narrative is not isolated. Across Nigeria, governors from opposition parties have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in numbers unprecedented in the nation’s democratic history. Critics argue that these defections are not merely voluntary political choices, but part of a strategic pressure campaign leveraging federal power and institutions to fracture opposition influence.
At its centre lies Nigeria’s principal anti-graft agency – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC: Anti-Graft Agency or Political Instrument? Founded to combat corruption, the EFCC’s constitutional mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial and economic crimes across public and private sectors. Its legal independence is enshrined in statute and it has historically pursued high-profile cases, including recovery of nearly $500 million in illicit assets in a single year, demonstrating its capacity for tackling corruption.
However, critics now claim that under the Tinubu administration, the EFCC’s prosecutorial power is being perceived (if not deployed) as a political instrument.
Opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and coalition parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have publicly accused the federal government of using anti-corruption agencies to intimidate opposition figures and governors, effectively pressuring them into aligning with the APC.
In a statement released in December 2025, opposition figures alleged that institutions such as the EFCC, the Nigerian Police and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission were being selectively wielded to weaken political competitors rather than combat financial crime impartially.
This is not merely rhetorical noise. The opposition’s grievances centre on several observable patterns:
Reopened or New Investigations Against Opposition Figures: The ADC pointed to recent abnormal reactivation of long-dormant cases or new inquiries into financial activities involving senior opposition politicians. These, they argue, often arise shortly before critical elections or political realignments.
Alleged Differential Treatment: According to opponents of the current administration, individuals who have defected to the APC appear less likely to face sustained legal scrutiny or prosecution in EFCC proceedings, even in cases of credible allegations of mismanagement.
Timing of Actions: The timing of certain high-profile investigations, emerging ahead of the 2027 general elections, reinforces perceptions that anti-graft measures are tailored to political cycles rather than legal merit.
The EFCC and Presidency have publicly denied these allegations, insisting that the commission operates independently and pursues corruption irrespective of political affiliation and that Nigeria’s democratic freedoms (including party choice and mobility) remain intact.
Yet the perception of bias, once systemic, is hard to erase, especially when political actors deploy powerful state machinery with strategic timing and selective intensity.
Defections and Power Realignment: A Democracy at Risk? Since 2023 and particularly through 2025, a remarkable number of state governors and senior political leaders have crossed over from opposition parties (notably the Peoples Democratic Party – PDP) to the APC. Though defections are normal in Nigeria’s fluid political system, the scale and speed in recent years are historically noteworthy, raising critical questions about underlying incentives.
The SaharaWeeklyNG reported Makinde’s comments within the broader context of a political climate where dissenting voices face greater obstacles than at any time in recent democratic memory.
Governors who remain in opposition find themselves squeezed between growing federal assertiveness and dwindling political capital. Some analysts argue that the combination of federal resource control, political appointments and influence over public agencies exerts tangible pressure on subnational leaders to align with the ruling party for political survival. This dynamic, they contend, undermines competitive party politics and weakens Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Speaking Truth to Power: What Makinde’s Critique Exposes. Governor Makinde’s core grievance (that it is increasingly difficult, perhaps perilous, to speak truth to power) resonates widely among civil society actors, political analysts and democratic advocates:
“YOU CANNOT SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER IN THIS DISPENSATION,” Makinde declared, specifically citing the government’s handling of contentious tax reform bills as an example where dissent was neither welcomed nor transparently debated.
Makinde’s critique reflects deeper structural concerns:
Exclusion of Key Stakeholders: Opposition leaders and state executives report being marginalised from meaningful consultation on national policies affecting federal-state relations, revenue sharing and fiscal reforms.
Institutional Intimidation: The perception that state politicians become targets of federal legal scrutiny after taking firm oppositional stances (real or perceived) discourages robust democratic debate.
Erosion of Opposition Space: A symbiotic effect of party defections and institutional pressure is a shrinking viable space for genuine political opposition, weakening checks and balances essential to democratic governance.
A respected political scientist, Dr. Aisha Bello of the University of Lagos, recently argued that “when opposition becomes fraught with state leverage instead of ideological competition, the very foundation of democratic contestation collapses,” adding that “a government that shies away from criticism risks inversion into autocracy.”
Another expert, Prof. Chinedu Eze, former dean of political studies at Ahmadu Bello University, warned that “selective use of anti-corruption agencies as political tools corrodes public trust and ultimately delegates justice into the hands of incumbents rather than independent courts.” These observations echo growing public skepticism.
The Way Forward: Strengthening Democracy and Institutions. Nigeria’s path forward depends on restoring confidence in democratic norms and institutional independence.
Transparent EFCC Processes: Civil society groups and legal scholars are advocating for enhanced transparency in anti-graft investigations, including clear prosecutorial thresholds and independent audits of case initiation and closures.
Judicial Oversight: Strengthening the judiciary’s capacity and independence is critical to ensuring that allegations of political weaponisation do not go unchecked. Courts must remain the ultimate arbiters of evidence and guilt.
Political Reforms: Advocates demand reforms to party financing, federal-state fiscal relations, and consultation mechanisms to reduce incentives for defections driven by federal resource leverage.
Public Engagement: A more informed and engaged civil society, anchored by independent media and civic education, must hold both government and opposition accountable for adherence to democratic principles.
Beyond The Present Moment.
Governor Makinde’s assertion that it is no longer tenable to “speak truth to power” under the current administration reflects unsettling trends in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape. While the EFCC and the Presidency maintain that anti-corruption efforts are independent and constitutionally grounded, opposition leaders (backed by political data and patterns of defections) argue that state power is being used to consolidate one-party dominance and undermine political pluralism.
At this critical juncture, Nigeria must choose between entrenching competitive democracy or sliding toward a political monopoly where dissent is subdued, institutions compromised, and power concentrated.
For Nigeria’s democratic ideals to survive (and thrive) its leaders and citizens must ensure that speaking truth to power remains not a perilous act of defiance but an honoured pillar of national life.
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