society
Leadership Without Accountability Is Nigeria’s Greatest Scam
Leadership Without Accountability Is Nigeria’s Greatest Scam.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Nigeria must reject failed politicians and demand true accountability.
Nigeria’s politics is haunted by a PECULIAR HYPOCRISY: men and women who abandon the problems in their own backyards (moral failings, patronage, broken promises, dodged responsibilities) suddenly reappear on the national stage with grand plans to “SAVE THE NATION.” The truth is blunt and unforgiving: leadership does not teleport. It is forged in character, measured in responsibility and tested in the small, daily arenas of family, community and local institutions. If you cannot solve the crises closest to you, you have no business asking for the keys to a complex, fractious, 200-MILLION-PEOPLE state.
This is not SENTIMENTALISM. It is POLITICAL REALISM. Nations do not transform because someone declares themselves a savior; they change when leaders demonstrate competence, integrity and a habit of accountability; virtues first practiced at home. Scholars have long warned that social trust and civic virtue are preconditions for prosperity and stable government. As Francis Fukuyama reminds us, societies that cultivate trust avoid the heavy “TRANSACTION COSTS” of coercive enforcement; trust is not mystical; it is a measurable advantage.
Look at Nigeria today: we are economically vital (Africa’s largest economy in many respects) yet our public life is rent by weak institutions, corruption and chronic impunity. Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Nigeria 140 out of 180 countries, a stark metric that should alarm every voter who still believes slogans are substitutes for governance.
To be clear: we are not arguing that no one from a difficult background can rise to national leadership; rather, we insist on consistency. If you were a local council boss who could not balance budgets or discipline cronies; if you ran away from accountability in your constituency; if you always pointed fingers but never fixed the leaking roof at the community clinic, why should we trust you with a federal budget, a foreign policy portfolio or the security of millions?
Those who recycle themselves into power without institutional reforms are asking us to gamble our future on a personality rather than a plan. That gamble has consequences. For every headline about GDP growth or loan approvals, there are countless stories of public resources diverted, services unprovided and citizens betrayed. Consider that, even amid reports of macroeconomic recovery, corruption remains acute enough that law enforcement agencies still devote huge resources to recover stolen assets and sometimes win notable recoveries, but only after years of loss. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported recovering nearly $500 million in one year; a welcome figure, but also a reminder that immense sums had to be chased down.
International partners continue to bankroll crucial projects precisely because our institutions struggle to marshal domestic resources reliably. In 2024 the World Bank approved a $1.57 billion financing package for Nigeria to strengthen health, education and power; funds that underscore both opportunity and dependency: opportunity because development remains possible; dependency because we still need massive external support to plug gaps created by domestic governance failures.
And yes, even where macro stats look better, the lived reality for many Nigerians remains grim. The World Bank noted strong headline growth in late 2024, but that same report stressed high inflation and the incomplete transmission of reforms to ordinary citizens. Growth without equitable distribution is a hollow victory.
So what must we do in 2027? First: reject recycled politicians who treat office as a family heirloom and accountability as optional. Look for candidates with three non-negotiable traits:
Demonstrated local competence. Have they shown the ability to manage resources, oversee projects to completion and accept blame when things go wrong? Small-scale success (fixing a primary school, ensuring transparent procurement in a local council or holding party officials to account) is a meaningful predictor of larger performance.
A record of public accountability. Leaders fit for national office have histories of EXPLANATION not EVASION. They invite audits, answer tough questions at town halls and accept judicial processes rather than subverting them.
Moral consistency. This is not moralizing, it is practical: a leader who tolerates corruption at home will tolerate it at scale. As Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala once said, “No one can fight corruption for Nigerians except Nigerians. Everyone has to be committed from the top to the bottom to fight it.” Commitment must begin at home and radiate outward.
We must also hold institutions to higher standards. Free speech, an independent judiciary, a transparent electoral commission and robust civil society are not luxuries; they are the scaffolding that prevents power from calcifying into privilege. Professor Attahiru Jega, who supervised two of Nigeria’s most scrutinized elections, has long emphasized the indispensable role of electoral integrity in making leadership legitimate. When elections are credible, politicians who fail locally have fewer ways to cloak their incompetence in national rhetoric.
Let us not ignore culture. Comedians, satirists and public intellectuals have an outsized role in puncturing the pretensions of recycled politicians. When Gordons lampoons politicians for their double standards or I Go Dye calls leaders “bad actors” their ridicule is not mere entertainment; it is popular truth-telling that keeps elites honest. Those truth bombs have the moral power to move conversations and mobilize voters.
Finally, citizens must translate outrage into disciplined choices. Voting is not a moment of theatrical loyalty; it is a transaction in which we exchange our future for competence and integrity. Use primaries, run local watchdog groups, support investigative journalism, demand transparent manifestos with measurable targets and (crucially) refuse to normalize failure. A candidate who cannot explain how they fixed a broken streetlight in their neighborhood should not be allowed to explain how they will fix national electricity.
This is not petty gatekeeping. It is survival. Nigeria’s potential remains immense, youthful workforce, diverse resources and entrepreneurial energy. But potential without structure is raw material; structure requires leadership that starts small and scales honestly.
So to every politician who insists Nigeria needs them while they have left their own political home in ruins: repair your house first. Attend the town halls. Answer the audits. Fight corruption in your backyard. If you cannot do that, stop asking for a larger stage. Nigeria deserves leaders who pride themselves on the mundane courage of responsibility, the courage to do the unglamorous work of fixing what is nearest.
2027 offers us a choice: RE-ELECT the THEATRICAL or choose the ACCOUNTABLE. We must be wise. We must be ruthless (against hypocrisy, not people) and demand that leadership begin where it always should: at HOME.
~ George Omagbemi Sylvester
Banwo Questions Bwala’s Credibility After Al Jazeera Interview
Public commentator, Dr. Ope Banwo, has criticised Daniel Bwala, the Presidential Spokesperson on Policy Communication for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following a contentious interview on Al Jazeera, describing the appearance as damaging to the credibility of Nigeria’s public communication.
Bwala had appeared on a programme hosted by journalist Mehdi Hasan, where he faced a series of questions about past statements attributed to him. During the exchange, Hasan presented video clips of previous remarks by the government spokesman and asked him to reconcile them with his responses during the interview.
The exchange, which has since circulated widely online, drew attention after Bwala appeared to dispute statements that were subsequently played back during the programme.
Reacting to the development, Banwo said the episode reflected poorly on Nigeria’s representation on international media platforms.
According to him, the availability of digital records and online archives means public officials must be prepared to defend their past statements whenever they appear on global television.
“In the era of instant fact-checking, any public figure going on international television must assume that every previous statement can be easily retrieved,” Banwo said.
He added that the controversy surrounding the interview was particularly troubling because the contradictions presented during the programme were supported with video evidence.
Banwo noted that while political interviews can be confrontational, government representatives should expect tough questioning when appearing before international audiences.
The founder of Naija Lives Matters also expressed concern over Bwala’s reaction during the interview, especially his claim that he was not informed he would be required to defend his personal record.
“A government spokesman should never be surprised by questions about his own public statements,” Banwo said.
During the programme, Bwala also responded to criticism of Nigeria’s governance challenges by arguing that similar problems exist in other parts of the world.
However, Banwo argued that such comparisons do not address the specific issues raised about Nigeria.
According to him, the episode should serve as a reminder of the importance of preparation and credibility when Nigerian officials appear before international media platforms.
The interview has continued to generate reactions across social media and political commentary circles, with observers debating both the conduct of the interview and the implications for Nigeria’s global image.
society
THE IMPERIAL GOLD COIN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS UNVEILED AS SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY AND HERITAGE
THE IMPERIAL GOLD COIN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS UNVEILED AS SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY AND HERITAGE
_[Atlantis City, United Kingdom of Atlantis – March 2026]_ – The United Kingdom of Atlantis proudly announces the introduction of its *Imperial Gold Coin*, a magnificent emblem of sovereignty, authority, and imperial heritage. The exquisite gold coin has been crafted to represent the nation’s regal tradition, economic strength, and the visionary leadership of its monarch.
The centerpiece of the coin features the dignified portrait of *His Imperial Majesty, Professor Solomon Wining*, depicted in full royal regalia. Crowned with a majestic golden crown and adorned with intricately crafted ornaments, the portrait embodies honor, wisdom, and noble leadership befitting a sovereign ruler. The depiction celebrates the monarch’s reign, which is associated with wisdom, development, and the pursuit of justice.
The golden coin itself signifies *prosperity, stability, and the enduring legacy* of the Atlantis Kingdom. Gold, historically a universal symbol of power, wealth, and permanence, reflects the strength and vision of the kingdom’s leadership and its aspirations for lasting greatness.
Encircling the royal portrait is the carefully engraved inscription *“United Kingdom of Atlantis”*, reinforcing the state’s identity any the authority of its sovereign ruler. The lower rim of the coin prominently displays the name *Solomon Wining*, commemorating the monarch whose leadership is linked to noble governance and national advancement.
The phrase *“Gold Coin”* highlights not only the currency’s intrinsic value but also its symbolic significance as a representation of the kingdom’s economic structure and royal treasury. Beyond its aesthetic elegance, the coin serves as a *mark of sovereignty*, a seal of authority, and a reminder of the royal institution governing the United Kingdom of Atlantis.
The Imperial Gold Coin represents:
– *Unity* among citizens,
– *Loyalty* to the crown,
– A vision of a kingdom built upon *justice, prosperity, and noble leadership*.
Every detail—from the engraved crown to the polished golden surface—makes the coin a timeless emblem of imperial prestige and national pride. It stands as both a symbol of wealth and a monument to the legacy of royal leadership, reminding all who behold it of the enduring power and majesty of the United Kingdom of Atlantis.
The United Kingdom of Atlantis is a sovereign nation dedicated to upholding traditions of regal governance, cultural heritage, and economic prosperity, guided by the wisdom of its imperial leadership.
_Notes to Editors_:
The Imperial Gold Coin is intended for commemorative and symbolic purposes, representing the nation’s imperial heritage and royal authority.
Ajadi Visits Ibadan Chief Imam, Receives Blessings
The leading gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Grand Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Imam Abdul Ganiy Abubakir Agbotomokekere, at his Oja’ba residence in Ibadan, where discussions centred on leadership, integrity, and the role of prayers in governance.
Ajadi, who described the revered Islamic cleric as a spiritual pillar in Oyo State, said his visit was to seek prayers and wise counsel as he continues consultations ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
While addressing the Chief Imam, Ajadi commended his consistent prayers for Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria, noting that religious leaders remain critical stakeholders in nation building.
“I have come to seek your prayers and spiritual blessings because of your important role in promoting peace, unity and moral guidance in our society,” Ajadi said.
“I also want to appreciate your continuous prayers for the progress of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. My prayer is that Almighty Allah will continue to grant you sound health and long life to witness many more Ramadan seasons on earth.”
Speaking further, the PDP gubernatorial aspirant emphasised the need for leadership driven by compassion, fairness and accountability, stressing that his political aspiration is rooted in service to the people.
“My ambition is not just about occupying an office but about serving the people with sincerity and fear of God. We must continue to encourage politics that will bring development and improve the welfare of our people,” he added.
While speaking with journalists after the visit, Ajadi also assured the people of Oyo State and Nigerians at large that the internal crisis and political tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been brought under control by the grace of God. He expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.
In his response, Sheikh Agbotomokekere advised the governorship hopeful to remain focused on the principles of good governance, warning against corrupt practices often associated with politics.
The respected Islamic scholar noted that while politics is practised differently by individuals, only leaders with integrity and fear of God can truly deliver the dividends of democracy.
“Politics is practised by different kinds of people. Some play politics in a corrupt way, while others practise it with sincerity. My prayer is that you will be among those who will practise democracy in the right way if you become governor,” the Chief Imam said.
He reminded the aspirant that human ambition can only be fulfilled by divine approval, stressing that ultimate power belongs to God.
“Whoever is seeking a position should know that only Allah can make such an ambition come true. Whether a person becomes famous or remains unknown is also by the will of Allah,” he said.
Offering prayers for the politician, the cleric added: “Many people may be struggling for a position meant for one person, and it is only God who knows the rightful person. I pray that Almighty Allah will make you the chosen one among all the contenders.”
Using a football analogy to further illustrate his point, the cleric advised Ajadi to be wary of political distractions and misleading influences.
“On the football field, sometimes spectators believe they understand the game more than the players themselves. I pray that you will not be misled by so-called political gurus and that God will guide your steps aright,” he said.
Sheikh Agbotomokekere, the 18th Chief Imam of Ibadanland, is widely respected across South-Western Nigeria for his scholarship, spiritual leadership and advocacy for peaceful coexistence among religious and political groups.
Observers say the visit forms part of Ajadi’s ongoing consultations with key stakeholders, traditional rulers and religious leaders as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle in Oyo State.
The cleric offered special prayers for peace in Oyo State, successful leadership, and continued unity among the people despite political and religious differences.
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