Delta Central Senator, Ede Dafinone, has urged Nigerian leaders to move beyond political rhetoric and focus on practical solutions that deliver real benefits to citizens, stressing that electoral victories must translate into meaningful governance.
Speaking at the 3rd Advocate Lecture Series organised by Advocate Publication Ltd, publishers of Advocate Newspaper, Dafinone highlighted the urgent need for reforms as the country looks toward the 2027 general elections. The event, themed “From Ballot to Patronage: Why Electoral Victory Fails to Deliver Good Governance in Nigeria,” brought together key stakeholders from political and civic circles.
Dafinone emphasised that while identifying governance challenges is important, proposing workable solutions is even more critical. He noted that discussions must shift from complaints to actionable strategies that can improve the lives of Nigerians.
Addressing fears of a potential one-party state, the senator downplayed such concerns, describing political defections as a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s democratic history since 1999. According to him, such trends are typical during mid-term political cycles.
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Dafinone acknowledged improvements in voter awareness and electoral credibility but pointed out that vote-buying remains a significant issue. He argued that this problem stems from a deeper lack of trust in the electoral system, where many citizens feel their votes do not truly count.
He also defended recent economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, describing them as necessary decisions that previous administrations avoided for political convenience. While admitting that Nigerians are currently facing hardship, he expressed confidence that the long-term benefits would eventually materialise.
In his keynote address, Charles Apoki delivered a critical assessment of Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that citizens have become disconnected from governance. He stated that true democracy requires active ownership by the people, which he believes is currently lacking.
Apoki attributed this disconnect to political ignorance and the monetisation of votes, noting that many Nigerians trade their civic rights for short-term financial gains. He also criticised aspiring leaders for lacking clear development plans.
Furthermore, he highlighted the high cost of politics as a major obstacle to credible leadership, explaining that many elected officials prioritise recouping campaign expenses over public service. This, he said, has entrenched a system dominated by political godfathers.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Publication Ltd, Shedrack Onitsha, explained that the lecture’s theme was chosen to address the persistent gap between electoral success and effective governance. He observed that despite campaign promises, many administrations fail to deliver tangible results.
The event, held in Ughelli, Delta State, featured panel discussions and goodwill messages from prominent figures, including representatives of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Participants collectively called for institutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring that governance truly serves the people.
