The Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the last election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has dismissed advocates’ claims that regional government would improve Nigeria’s situation.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the politician said the success of any system is dependent on the quality of those in charge of government.
He contended that effective regional governance in the past was due to exceptional leadership, public service, and national direction, according f to Daily Trust.
The SDP chieftain criticized the current crop of leaders as prioritizing personal gain over citizens’ welfare. He described them as “transactional” and more focused on recouping investments than governing.
Adebayo emphasized that politics has become an investment opportunity, with leaders seeking massive returns. He lamented that this approach has led to the failure of Nigeria’s governance philosophy.
His stance sparks debate on Nigeria’s governance structure and leadership quality.
He said, “Don’t say those regions were effectively ran because they were regions. They ran well because of the quality of the political leadership, the quality of the public services, and the general direction and the moral compass of the country at that time.
“Those who are running the country at present, if they were asked to run the regions, they will have ruined the regions. If they have displayed the same attitude today, when they were in charge of the regions, they would have ruined the regions”.
He described the present crop of leaders as “transactional such that the welfare of the people was no longer the essence of political participation. Majority of the politicians are mere financiers and businessmen”.
“The people we elect nowadays are not politicians, they are financiers, who believe that politics is like investing money in any other venture. So, when you invest money, you will reap in abundance. So many people who ordinarily will be in business, will realize that if you invest in banking, agriculture, or whatever, you get a single digit return. If you invest in politics, you get a million fold.”
“If you give a billion naira to support a political party or a candidate, you could have a whole ministry given to you. And ministers, commissioners, and other senior government people are recruited to help the boss get his money back to protect procurements and other business opportunities for their clan, for their clique. So, no pure government is going on. The reason why our politics is failing is because our philosophy of governance has failed.”