By Our Reporter
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned that Nigeria risks “systematic destruction” if governance continues to be driven by personalities rather than principles. He gave the warning at the unveiling and inaugural lecture of the African Institute for Statecraft International (AISI) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Represented by Ekiti State PDP Chairman, Hon. Dare Adeleke, George lamented the culture of sycophancy in Nigerian politics. He said, “When leaders borrow trillions without accountability and citizens choose to celebrate personalities rather than interrogate governance failures, the nation drifts into systematic destruction.” He added, “America did not become a world leader overnight; it was discipline. Until we restore discipline in governance and society, we cannot move forward.”
The AISI event, themed “Reinventing Political Leadership and Democratic Governance,” drew political leaders, scholars, and analysts who stressed that Nigeria must rebuild trust in institutions and reimagine governance to confront poverty, disillusionment, and instability.
Acting PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, represented by Deputy National Publicity Secretary Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi, likened Nigeria’s leadership failures to a betrayal. “Our civil service alone numbers close to five million personnel across federal and state levels, yet most have not received any form of retraining since employment. How then can they drive responsive governance in a 21st-century economy? The president or governor cannot do everything. The burden of execution lies at the lower levels, and when unprepared, failure is inevitable.”
He insisted that leadership must be understood beyond individuals, stressing that strong institutions were the bedrock of democracy. Damagum reaffirmed the PDP’s determination to reclaim power in 2027, while commending AISI for “challenging us to refine our policies, strengthen democracy, and reimagine leadership not as privilege, but responsibility.”
Also speaking, PDP chieftain and analyst Chief Segun Sowunmi raised concerns about Nigeria’s democracy, warning of dwindling voter participation and deepening divisions. “In 2023, 93 million Nigerians registered to vote, but less than 25 million participated. That is a crisis of confidence. Citizens have lost faith in the process because elections have become violent, manipulated, and unworthy of their trust. Why would any decent citizen risk being macheted just to cast a ballot?”
Participants hailed AISI Chief Executive Officer, Adai Edwin Adai, for establishing the institute as a hub for nurturing new leadership. Speakers agreed that unless Nigeria urgently reinvents its leadership model, strengthens institutions, and restores accountability, the country risks sliding further into poverty, instability, and disunity.
