Experts at the Advocate Lecture called for a shift in Nigeria’s leadership focus from political ambition to effective governance to drive national development.
Speakers emphasized the need for strong institutions, ethical leadership, and active citizen engagement to bridge the gap between politics and governance.
Participants warned that prioritizing politics over governance risks perpetuating poverty, instability, and stalled progress.
DETAILS
At the second annual Advocate Lecture held at Wetland Hotel in Ughelli, Delta State on April 25, 2025, experts from governance, academia, civil society, and media came together to emphasize the urgent need for Nigeria to prioritize governance over politics to achieve sustainable development.
Themed “Between Governance and Politics: The Delicate Balancing to Ensure Growth and Development,” the event was organized by Advocate Publication Ltd, publishers of Advocate Newspaper.
In his welcome address, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, CEO of Advocate Publication Ltd, said the lecture series was created to spark meaningful dialogue about Nigeria’s development challenges. He decried the growing trend of political leaders focusing on re-election campaigns rather than fulfilling their governance responsibilities. “We’re witnessing a dangerous shift where political survival is prioritized over meaningful service,” Onitsha said. “We must ask ourselves: what purpose does politics serve if it doesn’t deliver development?”
Event chairman, Olorogun Austin Emaduku, stressed the importance of harmonizing politics and governance. “Politics is about gaining power, but governance is about using that power responsibly. Without a governance agenda, political power becomes meaningless,” he noted. He called for strong institutions, ethical leadership, and citizen participation as the foundation for achieving this balance.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Abanum Innocent Ifelunini, a development economist, linked Nigeria’s underdevelopment to the politicization of governance. “When short-term political interests dominate national planning, meaningful development is impossible. We need to elevate governance above political expediency,” he stated.
Prof. Ifelunini further emphasized the importance of continuity in economic policy. “True leadership looks beyond elections,” he told journalists. “Governance must remain consistent, even as politics evolves.”
Panel moderator Amb. Pas Edewor Egedegbe, Executive Director of Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative, underscored the role of citizens in demanding better governance. “Elections are just the beginning. We must stay engaged year-round to hold leaders accountable,” he said. He also urged Nigerians to stop applauding politicians who fail to deliver, noting that “our silence amounts to complicity.”
Reiterating these concerns, Mr. Onitsha criticized what he described as a national crisis of misplaced priorities. “Even midway through political terms, attention shifts to power games instead of policy execution. Where is governance in all this?” he asked.
He warned that unless Nigeria breaks the cycle of sacrificing governance for politics, the country would remain trapped in poverty and stagnation.
Panelists, including Prof. Andrew Agboro, Amb. Stella Odika, and Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, echoed calls for electoral reform, institutional strengthening, and civic education as pathways to real change.
Participants commended Advocate Newspaper for initiating the dialogue. One attendee described the event as “a wake-up call for both leaders and citizens.”
As the lecture concluded, a clear message emerged: Nigeria must realign its leadership priorities. Politics should be a means to an end — that end being effective governance and national development.
