Political maneuvering alone is insufficient to tackle the multitude of socio-economic and political challenges facing Nigeria.
This was the message delivered by veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels TV on Friday.
Akande in the “My Take” segment of the programme directed his appeal at notable political figures such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, General Aliyu Gusau, Nasir el-Rufai, Peter Obi, and others, who are reportedly planning a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
He argued that while these moves may seem strategic, they fail to address the deep-rooted systemic problems afflicting the country.
“There are now rumours and speculations that some former leaders – civilian and military leaders such as General Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku, Aliyu Gusau, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Peter Obi, essentially those who are not aligned with the current set of national leadership in our country.
“They are gathering to re-enact for 2027 the political wizardry that birthed the APC and that enabled APC defeat PDP in 2015,” Akande remarked during the segment.
He argued that while these leaders might successfully forge a new political coalition, it would only result in a superficial change of leadership without tackling the entrenched issues that have crippled the country.
“But really, they can save themselves the trouble because even if this move succeeds, it will merely replace persons at the top, especially because we are still dealing with the same characters who have played significant roles in how we got here,” he added.
Akande emphasized the need for a comprehensive “elite consensus” that transcends the political sphere. He called for a national moral and ethical reset to establish a baseline for governance, accountability, and public conduct.
“Let us advance an elite consensus that goes way beyond the political terrain and reset our moral rectitude and redefine minimum standards below which we should never have to venture again in this country,” he declared.
He urged leaders from all sectors, not just politics, to champion a campaign for national rebirth.
“The solutions will not come from politicians. And it wouldn’t come from the State Houses in Abuja or the state capitals. It will have to come from among us as a people. It will have to come from our communities, our religious groups, and other social entities,” Akande stated, underscoring the need for a broader societal engagement.
Akande went on to elaborate on the systemic decay affecting Nigeria, pointing out that the challenges are rooted deeper than mere political leadership failures. He illustrated how the widespread inefficiencies and corrupt practices across various sectors reflect a compromised system.
“We have very deep challenges that go past our struggles with political leadership. As a matter of fact, our leadership challenges might be traceable to these deeper levels of rot,” he noted.
He highlighted examples of bureaucratic hurdles faced by entrepreneurs, which stifle economic growth and job creation. “For instance, how Nigerians in charge of agencies who grant approvals, business permits, and all of that constitute themselves as toll gates extorting people who are trying to create jobs and commence new business ideas,” he explained.
Akande also criticized the overreach of enforcement officers, who he argued often act excessively to appease their superiors, citing instances of arbitrary detentions that have brought national embarrassment.
“How is it possible that in the name of the Federal Government, about 76 young Nigerians will be cramped in detention for months and then gleefully showcased in court to our national shame without the knowledge of the Chief Law Officer of the country?” he questioned.
He further lamented the bureaucratic inefficiency that delayed the removal of university teachers from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), despite a clear directive from the Federal Executive Council.
“Why? Because the Cabinet Office didn’t send the proper documentation to the office of the head of the Civil Service. No monitoring. No follow-up until ASUU started screaming several months after,” Akande pointed out, highlighting the lack of coordination within the government.
The former aide expressed concern that politicians have a tendency to manipulate these systemic failures for their own gain, reducing critical issues to mere political talking points.
“All our politicians do is weaponize all these things we are saying and reduce the problem to a political one meant only to displace a group of politicians in order for another set of politicians to ascend power,” he stated.
In a stark conclusion, Akande reiterated his call for a shift in mindset, arguing that Nigeria’s deep-seated issues require more than just political changes.
“We have gotten to the point in this country that we need to understand that political posturing for power alone and by itself won’t cure our national afflictions,” he emphasized.
With this powerful message, Akande has called for a united front in addressing Nigeria’s profound moral and structural problems, urging leaders and citizens alike to look beyond mere political power games and work towards a genuine national transformation.
Akande had earlier in the segment offered his condolences to the family of the late Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja.
“Condolences and our prayers for the families of Chief of Army Staff General Taoreed Lagbaja. He was an outstanding soldier and excellent officer. May his memory be blessed,” he said, paying tribute to the fallen military leader who was laid to rest later on Friday November 15 at a funeral attended by the President and other top government officials.
He also urged the world to brace up as former President Donald Trump returns to power early next year after winning last week’s US presidential polls.
