A former presidential candidate of the defunct African Renaissance Party, Yahaya Ndu, has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s condition, describing the country as a “failed state” grappling with widespread challenges.
In a statement issued on Friday in Enugu, Ndu criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress and major opposition parties, accusing them of lacking clear ideology and focusing more on the 2027 elections than governance, despite growing insecurity and economic hardship.
Ndu, who pioneered Nigeria’s first presidential debate in Enugu in 1992, challenged President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi to a “thorough debate” focused on practical solutions to the nation’s problems.
The President of the Peoples Movement for a New Nigeria lamented that political discourse in the country is largely centred on elections rather than governance.
He said, “I have been watching the Nigerian political terrain and politicians closely since 1992, and my opinion is that over 90 per cent of our politicians do not care about good governance. All they are interested in is how to win elections.
“So far, all the so-called conventions of opposition political parties in Nigeria are about how to win elections and how to defeat President Tinubu and the APC. The APC convention itself was what anyone would expect when you ask an average student to mark his or her own examination papers.”
Ndu also described as “shameful” ongoing social media debates about President Tinubu’s potential second term while, according to him, the country faces “multifaceted challenges.”
He proposed that national discourse be structured as the “Ernest Ikoli Memorial Presidential Debate,” in honour of Ernest Ikoli, whom he said has not been adequately recognised.
The former presidential candidate extended his challenge to other political figures, including former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
“What is needed now is a robust debate among all political parties and presidential aspirants on practical solutions to the challenges confronting Nigeria, beginning with insecurity,” he added.
Warning of broader implications, Ndu said Nigeria’s failure could have far-reaching consequences for Africa.
“Right now, our country is almost a failed state, which must never be allowed to happen because if Nigeria fails, Africa is finished,” the statement concluded.
He also called on professional and socio-cultural groups, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigerian Bar Association, Christian Association of Nigeria, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, and PANDEF to jointly organise the proposed dialogue
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