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    At Freedom Online’s 6th Yearly Lecture, Gov Fubara Says ‘Despite Being Rich In Natural Resources, Nigeria Struggles With Economic Diversification’

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    Governor Siminalayi Fubara

    …. Foreigners will not fix Nigeria for us

    Nigeria’s Socio-Political Challenges: Whose Fault, Leaders or the Led? Being text of a speech delivered by Sir (Dr) Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor, Rivers State At the Freedom Online 6th Yearly Lecture Held on Thursday February 27, 2025 at Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja.

    Introduction

    Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour to speak on this critical issue concerning our beloved country, Nigeria. The question before us today demands deep reflection: Are Nigeria’s
    socio-political challenges the fault of the leaders or the led? This question is not new. It has shaped discussions in policy circles, academic debates and everyday conversations among Nigerians.
    To understand this, we must look at governance, accountability, and citizen participation. This lecture will examine the role of both leaders and the people in shaping our socio-political
    landscape and propose ways forward for better governance and civic engagement.
    Definition of Leaders and the Led
    A leader is an individual or group entrusted with the responsibility of making decisions, setting policies, and guiding a society or organisation towards development. Leaders in Nigeria include
    elected officials such as the President, Governors, Legislators and other political appointees who have the mandate to serve the public and implement policies for national progress.
    Importantly, leaders are selected from among the led and thus are a microcosm of the society. This means that the values, attitudes and behaviours of the general populace are often reflected in the leadership they produce.
    The led, on the other hand, refers to the general populace—the citizens who entrust their leaders
    with authority through elections. They include voters, taxpayers and all Nigerians who play a role in shaping governance through their participation in democratic processes.
    The led have the power to
    influence leadership by making informed choices and holding leaders accountable for their actions.
    Understanding Socio-Political Challenges in Nigeria
    Nigeria faces several socio-political challenges that have persisted over the years:

    1. Economic Stagnation and Unemployment: Despite being rich in natural resources,
      Nigeria struggles with economic diversification. Unemployment remains high, and many youths are either underemployed or lured into criminal activities. In Rivers State, we are confronting this problem by broadening our state’s economic base by developing tourism,
      agriculture, and other innovative sectors like renewable energy.
      Corruption and Governance Failures: Corruption remains a major hindrance to
      development. The mismanagement of resources, lack of transparency in government
      contracts, and diversion of public funds slow progress across the country. Despite
      significant oil revenue, the misallocation of funds continues to affect development. For us in Rivers State in the past 18 months, we have established a resource allocation and
      management process that is both transparent and judicious. We have transformed our
      public procurement process to be more accountable, competitive, and seamless. We look
      forward to increased partnership with regional intervention agencies like the Niger Delta
      Development Commission ( NDDC), to accelerate a fully integrated regional development.
      We fully support the Federal Government’s plan to accelerate the completion of the East
      West road as this will greatly enhance regional integration through trade,
      commerce, and mobility.
      Insecurity and Youth Restiveness: Rising insecurity, from insurgency in the Northeast to
      kidnappings and cult-related violence in the Niger Delta, remains a pressing concern. In
      states like Rivers, political interference in law enforcement has made the situation worse.
      Electoral Malpractices and Political Instability: Elections in Nigeria are often marred by
      violence, rigging, and voter intimidation. This undermines the democratic process and
      prevents credible leadership from emerging. Rivers State has witnessed some of the most
      violent electoral cycles in the country.
      Weak Institutions and Poor Infrastructure: Public institutions meant to serve the people
      are often ineffective. Basic amenities like roads, healthcare, and education remain
      inadequate in many states, despite vast national and state-level resources.
      Institutional Failures and the Electoral Body
      Institutions are supposed to act as checks and balances, but Nigeria’s weak institutions
      have further exacerbated governance challenges. The judiciary, legislature, security
      agencies, and electoral bodies often operate under political influence, undermining their
      effectiveness. For instance, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
      failed to uphold the law concerning political defections. According to the constitution,
      lawmakers who defect from the party on whose platform they were elected should lose
      their seats. However, INEC has been selective in enforcing this rule, raising questions about
      its neutrality. When institutions fail to do the needful, the rule of law is weakened, and
      democracy suffers.
      Examining the Role of Leadership
      Leaders play a crucial role in shaping the socio-political landscape. Across Nigeria, governance
      challenges persist. Some key issues include:
    • Resource Management: Despite receiving significant federal allocations due to oil
      revenue, many states, including Rivers, struggle to translate wealth into widespread
      economic prosperity.
    • Public Accountability: A culture of impunity exists where government officials are rarely
      held accountable for mismanagement.
    • Political Godfatherism: Many leaders emerge through the influence of political godfathers rather than based on merit, leading to a cycle of unaccountable governance.
    • Failure to Empower Institutions: Weak institutions allow for unchecked executive power,
      making it difficult to sustain long-term development.
      The Role of the Citizens
      While leaders play a key role, the people also have responsibilities. The saying, a people deserve
      the leaders they get, implies that citizens have a hand in determining the quality of leadership. Key
      issues among the electorate in Nigeria include:
    • Voter Apathy: Many eligible voters do not participate in elections, allowing corrupt
      politicians to manipulate the system. This is particularly evident in states with high voter
      suppression, such as Rivers.
    • Ethnic and Partisan Politics: Instead of demanding good governance, some citizens
      support politicians based on ethnic or party loyalty rather than competence.
    • Tolerance of Corruption: Society often tolerates and even celebrates corrupt leaders,
      making accountability difficult.
    • Limited Civic Engagement: Many people do not actively engage with government policies,
      public hearings, or hold leaders accountable between elections.
      The Interplay Between Leaders and the Led
      There is a symbiotic relationship between leadership and followership. Leaders emerge from the
      same society they govern. If the people demand accountability, credible leaders are more likely to
      emerge. If citizens remain passive, bad governance will continue.
      Case Studies from Nigeria and Rivers State:
    1. The Successes and Shortcomings of Past Administrations: Some national and state-level
      projects have had positive impacts, such as infrastructure and health initiatives, but long-
      term sustainability remains a challenge.
      The Role of Civil Society and the Media: Journalists and civil society groups across
      Nigeria, including in Rivers State, have sometimes played a role in exposing corruption and
      advocating for policy changes.
      Instances of Effective Civic Engagement: When communities have actively demanded
      their rights, changes have occurred, proving that an engaged citizenry can influence
      governance.
      The Way Forward: A Shared Responsibility
      To address these challenges, both leaders and citizens must take responsibility. Some key
      recommendations include:
    2. Public interest must be at the center of public policy: As has been noted earlier, leadership
      and followership are two sides of the governance coin, for the government to be effective and
      impactful, the needs of the people must be at the center of public policy. This is because
      development is ultimately about the people. Therefore, the present and future needs of the people
      must constantly shape both public policy and governmental action. This is why in Rivers State
      today, under my leadership, our governance philosophy is RIVERS FIRST. By this philosophy, we run
      a government that is inclusive, participatory, and prioritizes the needs of our people first in all that
      we do as government.
    3. Leadership must be meaningful to the people: Leaders have a unique responsibility to inspire
      change in society. Indeed, responsive leaders can move the people from where they are to where
      they ought to be. Any leadership that does not elevate the people to a better standard or qualify of
      life may loose legitimacy and alienate the people. In fact, the mettle of leadership is often judged by
      the way it treats the vulnerable majority rather than the privileged few. This is why in Rivers State, we
      are building 20,000 housing units for low income workers to lift them to a better quality of life. This
      is the largest public housing scheme in the history of Rivers State since 1967. We are also reviving
      our primary health care delivery system and deepening health care penetration to all communities
      in Rivers State.
    4. Strengthening Institutions: The government must allow independent agencies to function
      without political interference.
    5. Promoting Civic Education: Citizens need to be educated on their rights and responsibilities in
      governance. The media remains a critical partner in guaranteeing that citizens are appraised of their
      rights and responsibilities. The traditional institutions also have a role to play in citizens education
      and enlightenment.
    6. Demanding Transparency and Accountability: Civil society, the media, and individuals must
      continue to demand openness in governance.
    7. Encouraging Ethical Leadership: Political parties must prioritize candidates with integrity and
      competence.
    8. Youth Empowerment: Addressing unemployment and youth restiveness through skill
      acquisition and job creation will reduce insecurity. In Rivers State, youth empowerment and social
      investment are key components of our 2025 budget.
    9. Improving Electoral Integrity: Ensuring free, fair, and credible elections is crucial for better
      leadership selection.
      Conclusion
      The debate over whether Nigeria’s socio-political challenges stem from the leaders or the led is
      complex. In reality, both share responsibility. Leaders must be accountable and work for the
      people, leaders must implement patriotic policies, strengthen institutions, while citizens must
      actively participate in governance, they must become more politically conscious, demand
      accountability, and vote based on competence rather than sentiment.. In Rivers State and across
      Nigeria, we must break the cycle of poor leadership and passive followership by fostering a culture
      of civic engagement and ethical governance.
      The future of Nigeria depends on us. The question is: Are we ready to take responsibility?
      Foreigners will not fix Nigeria for us. Until Nigerians take full ownership of the country’s problems and solutions, the cycle of poor governance and underdevelopment will persist. The choice is ours:
      to act decisively and change Nigeria’s trajectory or remain in a state of stagnation,b blaming one
      another while the nation deteriorates
      Thank you.

    *His Excellency was represented by former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engineer Tele Ikuru.

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