Laolu Akande, a former presidential adviser has called on Nigerians to rise above lethargy and actively participate in political reform.
He made this known while speaking during the My Take segment of Channels Television’s Inside Sources on Friday titled Nigeria Will be Prevail, Part 3.
Akande called on Nigeria’s non-political elites to take a keen interest in political reforms and resist the temptation to remain silent. “If we raise the standard significantly, politicians will ultimately have to follow suit,” he said.
He emphasized the need for the middle class, especially urban populations, to play an active role in the electoral process. “Currently, those who vote are the lower class urban and rural poor who have become for the most part victims of the weaponisation of poverty by some of our politicians,” Akande observed.
Akande encouraged former presidents and heads of state to come together to chart a new course for the country. “Let them visit the incumbent president and table ideas, not engage in partisan political games,” he advised.
Akande urged dissatisfied Nigerians to organize themselves, voice their concerns, and mount pressure on political leaders. “Let us insist on what will be acceptable from what will not be acceptable in governance, especially in the states,” he added.
Speaking directly to Nigerian youths, Akande encouraged them to act for the greater good. “Let the youths stand up and understand that they must act mainly for the good of the larger number. They must understand public interest and guard it,” he said.
Speaking on Friday, Akande emphasized that Nigeria’s potential for greatness lies in the collective efforts of its well-meaning citizens.
“Nigeria will prevail because there are more Nigerians that wish this nation well. I meet them every day all over town. They share their hopes and expectations for a great country. And they are more than the enemies of our country,” Akande affirmed. He called for 2025 to be a turning point for the nation, urging all citizens united by a desire for a better Nigeria to actively pursue that goal.
Referencing Edmund Burke, Akande reminded Nigerians, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” He lamented that too many citizens, especially those with the means and capacity to drive change, remain passive. “Let the good men and the good women who love Nigeria speak up for the country, especially now that we are told that 2025 is a landmark year,” he urged.
Akande acknowledged the systemic challenges facing the nation, including the prevalence of self-serving politicians in the Fourth Republic. “While there are a sprinkle of very good politicians around, too large a number of people holding political office, especially in the last 25 years, are very self-centred. They see their public positions more as a means for their personal aggrandizement,” he noted.
Akande also highlighted the importance of tackling corruption at all levels of government. Echoing the words of former President Muhammadu Buhari, he said, “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us.”
