Nigeria at 50 and beyond a case for world conscience by Iyken Nnanedu
Developed countries must encourage Nigeria and other African nations to uphold responsible leadership that holds individuals and institutions accountable for their actions. This is a core principle of democracy, which demands strict adherence to the nation's constitution. The domination of strategic positions by a particular section has never fostered true development in any country. Those benefiting from such arrangements should understand that their gains are temporary. Sectional dominance often leads to widespread corruption, the underutilization of human resources, and needless bloodshed, among other societal ills.
The ultimate goal of practical politics is the attainment of power. However, power comes with inherent obligations and responsibilities. While a political aspirant’s initial motive may be service, power should be harnessed as a tool for national development and progress—not for division or destruction. It is inherently transient and must never be confined to one region or group. If it becomes localized, the system that grants such power will inevitably collapse and disintegrate. Therefore, anyone advocating or supporting sectional domination is effectively promoting the downfall of the system and must be held accountable.
Nigeria’s political and military elites have long engaged in a pattern of resource exploitation and power preservation, undermining national development. The military’s history of seizing control through coups—often masked as efforts to rescue civilian governments—has repeatedly used constitutional revisions and state creation as distractions, enabling power consolidation until conditions favor another civilian transition.
In Nigeria: The Turning Point, Arthur Nzeribe emphasizes that leadership is a serious undertaking involving the fate of millions. He stresses that leaders must approach governance with sincerity and recognize the weight of policy decisions. Toying with the lives and trust of citizens by perpetuating sectional dominance is not only irresponsible—it is dangerous.
