Veteran journalist and former Presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has called on Nigerian politicians to prioritize governance over politicking, stressing the urgent need to address the country’s pressing challenges through collaborative leadership.
Akande made this appeal during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, where he spoke extensively on the recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Ogoni leaders.
The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, included prominent figures such as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, and other key stakeholders.
Reflecting on the discussions, Akande highlighted the significance of setting aside political differences to tackle long-standing issues affecting the Ogoni people and the Niger Delta region.
“That is the kind of attitude that we need to solve some problems,” Akande remarked. “We must set politics apart just to solve this problem. The people, after all, are the ones suffering from these issues, which arose clearly from poor political leadership. But the way to solve it is to make it non-political.”
Akande’s statement underscores the need for a unified approach to governance, where leaders work across party lines to address developmental and socio-economic challenges. He emphasized that the true victims of political negligence are the citizens, who bear the brunt of inadequate leadership and unresolved conflicts.
“It’s governance time. Let’s govern,” Akande declared, urging politicians to shift their focus from divisive political maneuvering to proactive governance. He also encouraged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable, stating, “Let’s support the people in government, if they are honest. Let’s keep their feet to the fire. Let’s call them out when we think they are wrong. But, by all means, let us work together.”
The Ogoni issue, including environmental degradation, lack of infrastructure, and economic neglect, has remained a sore point in the Niger Delta. Akande commended the Tinubu administration for initiating dialogue with stakeholders but cautioned that tangible action must follow these discussions.
