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Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, shared his insights on what the South East region expects from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The veteran politician, known for his forthright views, emphasized the need for Nigeria to learn from recent international examples while acknowledging the country’s own democratic progress.
Okechukwu pointed to the recent UK election as a model of efficiency and peacefulness, but reminded readers that even the UK once grappled with electoral challenges. “The word ‘thug’ is not Igbo, Yoruba, or Hausa,” he noted, suggesting that Nigeria’s current struggles are part of a broader historical pattern of democratic evolution. “At some point in the history of UK, there existed thugs during elections,” he added, drawing parallels between the two nations’ political journeys.
The APC stalwart emphasized the urgent need for a more robust anti-corruption campaign. “Corruption is mainly the reason politics is attractive in our clime,” Okechukwu stated, advocating for a “serious, diligent anti-graft war” to diminish the allure of politics as a quick path to wealth. He decried the presence of “bandits of multi-colours who take unfair advantage of constitution and extant laws and rape our people.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Okechukwu pointed to positive developments in the 2023 elections, where several incumbent governors lost their senatorial bids and even President Tinubu lost in Lagos. He stressed that these outcomes demonstrate progress in the country’s democratic maturation, stating, “We are on the right track of the learning process.”
Addressing concerns about the APC’s perceived deviation from its pre-2015 promises, Okechukwu argued that while challenges remain, progress has been made in areas such as constitutional amendments for financial autonomy of state judiciaries and legislatures. However, he criticized governors for often behaving like “emperors,” dampening socio-economic development at the state level.
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The former VON chief called for stricter adherence to existing laws and emphasized the importance of institutional independence, particularly at the state level. He questioned the true autonomy of state electoral commissions and highlighted ongoing legal battles over local council funding as evidence of persisting issues.
Okechukwu also touched on the debate surrounding Nigeria’s political structure, stating, “Our problem is simply leadership operators, not the model of political system.” He cautioned against viewing regionalism as a panacea, reminding readers of the collapse of the First Republic.
As the South East looks to the Tinubu administration for support, Okechukwu’s insights underscore the region’s desire for transparent governance, strengthened institutions, and sustained efforts in combating corruption.
His words serve as both a reflection on Nigeria’s democratic journey and a roadmap for future improvements, showing the complex challenges facing the nation as it continues to evolve politically.
