Ezekwesili, Nweke Others Seek Change In Nigeria’s Politics, Governance

Oby Ezekwesili, Aisha Yesufu, Remi Sonaiya, Frank Nweke Junior among other eminent Nigerians have called for urgent restructuring, electoral and constitutional reform to safe Nigeria from imminent collapse.  

The leaders also said a holistic overhaul of the nation's democracy could guarantee the necessary change while recounting the failure of governance across the country.

They stated this known at the inauguration of the School of Policy and Governance held virtually on Thursday.

The Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili said the nation's democracy was faulty and could not deliver the expectations of Nigerians.

She added that the electoral and political system was tailored to favour a few who are self-serving, therefore called for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s leadership and political system.

Speaking at the event, she said “We are trying to change the paradigm; this is a leadership preparation system. The political class in Africa has a dominant political culture that subordinates the common good of society to the personal and narrow interest of those who have the opportunity to lead and that is what we are trying to change.

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“We have a programme design that is 60 to 70 per cent online digital learning management system. However, some of the programmes in the school’s curriculum will be delivered in person. Some of the courses will require a classroom setting.”

The acting Director-General of the school, Dr Alero Ayida-Otobo, said the SPPG was one of the three pillars of the #FixPolitics initiative.

“Research suggests that central to this continental underperformance is politics, specifically a culture of leadership that inherently subverts the public good by elevating personal and parochial interests above the collective wellbeing of citizens.

“As such, the SPPG is integral to the fulfilment of the #FixPolitics mission to elevate the office of citizens to its rightful place in our nation and develop a political class of servant leaders,” she said.

The Executive Director of the #FixPolitics initiative, Mr Anthony Ubani, the school was birthed to serve as a massive base and pipeline producing a new and disruptive thinking political class who will listen and serve the new class of citizens who know their rights.