On Good Governance in Nigeria: For the Records

On Good Governance in Nigeria: For the Records To MONITOR the political activities in Nigeria, CATALOGUE remarkable events, REPORT government progr Separation of Powers.

This page “On Good Governance in Nigeria: For the Records” is to MONITOR the political activities in Nigeria, CATALOGUE remarkable events and REPORT prominent programmes of the three tiers of government. Good governance is all about enthroning due process in the acts of government whilst fostering good living among the Nigerian populace. It is about a few people acting on the electoral mandate of other millions of Nigerian citizens to exhibit what democratic leadership truly means. Good Governance is achievable when there is distinct operation by each of the three arms of government - the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary i.e. Above all, the affairs of government are to be governed by a legal instrument that Nigerians have unanimously agreed to, and which provisions are supreme over the power of any government functionaries and binding on all the 3 arms of government. This legal instrument is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeriahttp://resourcedat.com/…/…/07/Nigerian_Constitution_1999.pdf

This page has started to document landmark activities/events of government from 29 May 2015 for the records and future reference.

AN X-RAY OF THE 2026 OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONBYAYOKANGUN ONATOLABackground on Political Activities in Nigeria Politics...
16/08/2026

AN X-RAY OF THE 2026 OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

BY

AYOKANGUN ONATOLA

Background on Political Activities in Nigeria

Politics is not same as governance. Democracy is not about getting people into public elective office. Unfortunately, in most nations of the world especially in African nations, politics is about fight for supremacy in getting to power and not an assurance of having good governance.

Democracy is people-centred - as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. That's where people's voting power comes into play. The creators of secret ballot have put such measure in place to protect the voters and ensure democracy. But what obtains nowadays? It is government of the criminalised personalities/moneybags, by some prominent treasury looters, pushers of drugs, hired killers and the ritualists, and for themselves, families and their apologists.

To what extent has democracy been practiced in Nigeria? Religion, tribal and economic greed by the actors are factors militating against democracy in Nigeria. The fact that we have been organising elections with colossal waste of funds and people have been changing positions whereby armoured tanks are stationed at venue of the inauguration does not mean we are in democracy please. We have been transiting from one pseudo-democracy to another, to the extent of sustainable charades that we called democracy.

Our politicians have intentionally impoverished the masses by making the system dysfunctional thereby making lives hard for many citizens. That's why they find the masses easy preys in politics for votes selling, with ridiculous amount.

2026 Osun State Governorship Election as a case study

Simply put, Nigeria's problems are Nigerians. The elected (selected) officials are not aliens. They emerged from our midst. With every sense of objectivity, what business were over 12 APC Governors and the President of Nigeria (represented by the Senate President) got to transact in Osun State at the period of the just concluded Governorship Election in Osun State? Nothing but to intimidate, harass and exert undue influence.

The efforts to fill an elective office involve proper screening of interested aspirants, whereby the most qualified candidate for every party is presented to the public to decide who they wish to entrust with their mandate, through voting at a general election. Whatever we sow, we shall reap. Every nation gets the kind of leaders her people deserves. When as a Nation, we don't know what we want as electorates, some opportunists will use all sorts of inducement to manipulate us, push us into a moving train, which destination is unknown to us, due to our gullibility. LET'S NOT BLAME ANYONE BUT OURSELVES, PLEASE.

2026 Osun State Governorship Election – Outcomes and Lessons Taught

That election from conception stage through its conduct of voting up to the time of declaration of results was not free and fair. The fact that lives were lost and some selective arrests were made before and on the day of the election did not indicate neutrality of the security agencies as representatives of institution of the Federal Government. Despite the humiliation of the psyche of the Osun State electorates by the jumping on them by over 12 Governors of APC and their security men, amidst billions of naira that was wasted within 72 hours, which would have been better used to improve physical infrastructures, the Osun State electorates stood their ground about taking their future in their hands.

Regardless of political parties contesting in an election, what citizens especially the electorates need to address their minds to, is who among the candidates can be trusted to offer good governance and give their electoral mandate to. With that mindset, every political party will begin to do due diligence on the personalities and antecedents of the candidate to be presented for elections. The essence of EFCC is to curb financial crime and attempts to corrupt the populace by any individual or group especially with wealth of doubtful sources. The police/DSS is an agent of the government that’s expected to function in the best interest of the General public. The INEC is supposed to be an unbiased umpire for overseeing political activities and the conduct of elections. Where any or/and all of these three (3) agencies compromise and going to serve the dictate of the incumbent Federal administration, that marks the start of crisis in the affected area of the Nation.

Osun State electorates have showcased to the entire Nation that every set of people get the kind of leaders it deserves. The Osun State electorates were resolute, determined and dared all odds to stand for their belief in Gov Jackson Ademola Adeleke. They voted massively for him and were desperate to ensure that the mandate was intact throughout the various stages of the collation of the votes. No doubt, the presence of Senate President, over 12 State Governors, including an Ogun State Governorship candidate in the 2027 election had undue influence on the outcome of the election. With the enthusiasm, emotion and vigour exhibited by the Osun State indigenes, Adeleke ought to capture over 60% of the total votes cast.

If the same Accord Party or other political parties decide to field competent, capable, reliable and trusted candidate for the rest of Elections, there may not be any need for colossal waste of funds that usually characterise our elections. So far so good, what was achieved yesterday, 15 August 2026 in Osun State can be replicated in all the States of the Federation. That is, for the electorates to use their votes wisely and choose their leaders that can assure them of good governance. It is when this feature is reflected across the nation that we can be talking of having democracy in Nigeria. It is possible, it can be achieved, Osun State has demonstrated that we can have a government of the people, by the people and for the people. As a people, we have to stake everything for democracy to have a firm root. It is with that reality that order, peace, fairness, equity and true representative government can become the order of the day.

Concluding Remarks

UNTIL PEOPLE DECIDE TO TAKE THEIR FUTURE IN THEIR HANDS AND WILLING TO EAT THE BITTER PILL (TRUTH) AND IN UNITY REJECT THE SLAVE MASTERS FROM GETTING TO POLITICAL OFFICES, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

SUMMARY OF OSUN STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION OF 15 AUGUST 2026 - RESULTS OF VOTES ============================

TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS: 2, 339,544

TOTAL ACCREDITED VOTERS: 1,010,684

TOTAL VALID VOTES: 985079

TOTAL REJECTED VOTES: 20721

ACCORD : 511067

APC - 444815

ADC- 17180

THEREFORE, THE OUTCOME IS A PROOF OF PEOPLE'S LOYALTY TO THEIR GOVERNOR AND RENEWED BELIEF IN GOOD GOVERNANCE THAT HE OFFERED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS PLUS. HIS EXCELLENCY GOV ADEMOLA ADELEKE OF THE ACCORD PARTY IS THE WINNER AND HAS BEEN DECLARED AS DULY ELECTED, BY THE RETURNING OFFICER ON THIS 16TH DAY OF AUGUST 2026.

On a final note, I lend my voice to others that truly have faith in credible representation in governance of the people, to congratulate the citizens (indigenes and residents) of Osun State for making a DECISION that suits their purpose – a triumph of democracy.

God bless Osun State!
May God inspire every other State of the Nation to see the new light!!
God bless Nigeria!!!

16 August 2026

AN X-RAY OF THE 2026 OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONBYAYOKANGUN ONATOLA Background on Political Activities in Nigeria Politic...
16/08/2026

AN X-RAY OF THE 2026 OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

BY

AYOKANGUN ONATOLA

Background on Political Activities in Nigeria

Politics is not same as governance. Democracy is not about getting people into public elective office. Unfortunately, in most nations of the world especially in African nations, politics is about fight for supremacy in getting to power and not an assurance of having good governance.

Democracy is people-centred - as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. That's where people's voting power comes into play. The creators of secret ballot have put such measure in place to protect the voters and ensure democracy. But what obtains nowadays? It is government of the criminalised personalities/moneybags, by some prominent treasury looters, pushers of drugs, hired killers and the ritualists, and for themselves, families and their apologists.

To what extent has democracy been practiced in Nigeria? Religion, tribal and economic greed by the actors are factors militating against democracy in Nigeria. The fact that we have been organising elections with colossal waste of funds and people have been changing positions whereby armoured tanks are stationed at venue of the inauguration does not mean we are in democracy please. We have been transiting from one pseudo-democracy to another, to the extent of sustainable charades that we called democracy.

Our politicians have intentionally impoverished the masses by making the system dysfunctional thereby making lives hard for many citizens. That's why they find the masses easy preys in politics for votes selling, with ridiculous amount.

2026 Osun State Governorship Election as a case study

Simply put, Nigeria's problems are Nigerians. The elected (selected) officials are not aliens. They emerged from our midst. With every sense of objectivity, what business were over 12 APC Governors and the President of Nigeria (represented by the Senate President) got to transact in Osun State at the period of the just concluded Governorship Election in Osun State? Nothing but to intimidate, harass and exert undue influence.

The efforts to fill an elective office involve proper screening of interested aspirants, whereby the most qualified candidate for every party is presented to the public to decide who they wish to entrust with their mandate, through voting at a general election. Whatever we sow, we shall reap. Every nation gets the kind of leaders her people deserves. When as a Nation, we don't know what we want as electorates, some opportunists will use all sorts of inducement to manipulate us, push us into a moving train, which destination is unknown to us, due to our gullibility. LET'S NOT BLAME ANYONE BUT OURSELVES, PLEASE.

2026 Osun State Governorship Election – Outcomes and Lessons Taught

That election from conception stage through its conduct of voting up to the time of declaration of results was not free and fair. The fact that lives were lost and some selective arrests were made before and on the day of the election did not indicate neutrality of the security agencies as representatives of institution of the Federal Government. Despite the humiliation of the psyche of the Osun State electorates by the jumping on them by over 12 Governors of APC and their security men, amidst billions of naira that was wasted within 72 hours, which would have been better used to improve physical infrastructures, the Osun State electorates stood their ground about taking their future in their hands.

Regardless of political parties contesting in an election, what citizens especially the electorates need to address their minds to, is who among the candidates can be trusted to offer good governance and give their electoral mandate to. With that mindset, every political party will begin to do due diligence on the personalities and antecedents of the candidate to be presented for elections. The essence of EFCC is to curb financial crime and attempts to corrupt the populace by any individual or group especially with wealth of doubtful sources. The police/DSS is an agent of the government that’s expected to function in the best interest of the General public. The INEC is supposed to be an unbiased umpire for overseeing political activities and the conduct of elections. Where any or/and all of these three (3) agencies compromise and going to serve the dictate of the incumbent Federal administration, that marks the start of crisis in the affected area of the Nation.

Osun State electorates have showcased to the entire Nation that every set of people get the kind of leaders it deserves. The Osun State electorates were resolute, determined and dared all odds to stand for their belief in Gov Jackson Ademola Adeleke. They voted massively for him and were desperate to ensure that the mandate was intact throughout the various stages of the collation of the votes. No doubt, the presence of Senate President, over 12 State Governors, including an Ogun State Governorship candidate in the 2027 election had undue influence on the outcome of the election. With the enthusiasm, emotion and vigour exhibited by the Osun State indigenes, Adeleke ought to capture over 60% of the total votes cast.

If the same Accord Party or other political parties decide to field competent, capable, reliable and trusted candidate for the rest of Elections, there may not be any need for colossal waste of funds that usually characterise our elections. So far so good, what was achieved yesterday, 15 August 2026 in Osun State can be replicated in all the States of the Federation. That is, for the electorates to use their votes wisely and choose their leaders that can assure them of good governance. It is when this feature is reflected across the nation that we can be talking of having democracy in Nigeria. It is possible, it can be achieved, Osun State has demonstrated that we can have a government of the people, by the people and for the people. As a people, we have to stake everything for democracy to have a firm root. It is with that reality that order, peace, fairness, equity and true representative government can become the order of the day.

Concluding Remarks

UNTIL PEOPLE DECIDE TO TAKE THEIR FUTURE IN THEIR HANDS AND WILLING TO EAT THE BITTER PILL (TRUTH) AND IN UNITY REJECT THE SLAVE MASTERS FROM GETTING TO POLITICAL OFFICES, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

SUMMARY OF OSUN STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION OF 15 AUGUST 2026 - RESULTS OF VOTES ============================

TOTAL REGISTERED VOTERS: 2, 339,544

TOTAL ACCREDITED VOTERS: 1,010,684

TOTAL VALID VOTES: 985079

TOTAL REJECTED VOTES: 20721

ACCORD : 511067

APC - 444815

ADC- 17180

THEREFORE, THE OUTCOME IS A PROOF OF PEOPLE'S LOYALTY TO THEIR GOVERNOR AND RENEWED BELIEF IN GOOD GOVERNANCE THAT HE OFFERED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS PLUS. HIS EXCELLENCY GOV ADEMOLA ADELEKE OF THE ACCORD PARTY IS THE WINNER AND HAS BEEN DECLARED AS DULY ELECTED, BY THE RETURNING OFFICER ON THIS 16TH DAY OF AUGUST 2026.

On a final note, I lend my voice to others that truly have faith in credible representation in governance of the people, to congratulate the citizens (indigenes and residents) of Osun State for making a DECISION that suits their purpose – a triumph of democracy.

God bless Osun State!
May God inspire every other State of the Nation to see the new light!!
God bless Nigeria!!!

16 August 2026

28/07/2026

DE-EMPHASISING POWER CONCENTRATION AT THE CENTRE: A PANACEA TO REGAIN OUR LOST GLORY AS A BLESSED NATION

First posted on my page on "Good Governance in Nigeria: For the Records"

No Nation, be it advanced, super power, developed or first world (I don't care the descriptor such may have) will love us more than we can do to make our country great. Else, they will come with a nice picture of 'helping', but the main agenda is 'exploitation'. So, if we don't want to be their prey, we have to define the future we truly desire and deserve and put all hands on deck to actualise our vision.

Let the autonomy of the Local Government comes into force. Let the State Governors attend to their statutory functions with their budgetary allocations. And the Federal Government to address itself to the functions enshrined in the Constitution for the benefit of all citizens.

All tiers of government must ensure that extant laws and legislations are respected and their effective implementation is guaranteed. Fairness, respect for rule of laws and unbiased dispensation of justice will give the citizens good sense of belonging and nationhood pride.

Our elected officials must always live by good examples, by being selfless, accommodating to criticisms and to always be willing to be accountable. They are not people's bosses but servant leaders - which calls fir them to have listening ears, compassion for people's feelings and to govern with fear of God.

It is on the premise of the following that good governance can be achieved. Good governance will make the following possible:

- Affordable and qualitative Education up to High School level for all citizens
- Qualitative and free health care services
- Youth Employment and Empowerment
- Rewarding pay package for civil and public servants
- Care and welfare of the elderly; amongst others.
- Affordable housing
- Uninterrupted power supply
- Security and good road networks

As a matter of fact, Nigeria as the most populated black African Nation with multiethnic nationalities and hundreds of languages, should be working towards Regionalisation, as to have United States of Nigeria (USN) by law. Nothing stopping us from 2027 to go into North Central, North East, North West, South West, South East and South South Regional Governments and with an administrative government in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Where there's will, we can!
Yes, we can!!
It is timely!!!

Ayokangun Onatola
---------------------
Hails from Ikenne-Remo, but lives in the UK.

19/07/2026

BEING EDUCATED DOES NOT EXCLUDE OUR APPLICATION OF WISDOM AND DISCRETION: A BIG CHALLENGE TO MY YORUBA KINSMEN VIS-A-VIS OPPOSITION OF PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE, AS NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT.

Preamble:

May God rest the soul of Chief Hubert Adedeji Ogunde, D. Litt (Honoris Causa). His famous song YORUBA R’ONU is reverbrating and always questioning our conscience and essence as Yoruba race, with respect to the damage and disservice we do to our kinsmen in their struggles and efforts to liberate us.

Background:

When and where has it been recorded in history that a Northerner, as a critic did everything possible to pull down their own when at the helm of affairs? Not even, the controversial Bala Usman nor Balarabe Musa, or El Rufai, etc. Even, among the Igbos, it had never been their style. They rarely have critics but agitators for separation (Biafran activists). Who were the people behind Awo's treasonable felony plot? Yorubas.

Betrayal of Awo’s Presidential Ambition

In 1979 General Election, a Yoruba Man at the helm of the Nation's affairs boasted that "we know those who will not succeed this administration but we can't declare publicly those to be sworn in". That was Obasanjo and true to his words, a grade 2 Teacher and candidate of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), in person of Alhaj Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari was declared President and sworn in on Oct 1 1979. Obasanjo was exposed to have sponsored and voted for NPN.

Came 1983, Awolowo was in the presidential race again and Shagari was returned into office in October 1983. Displeased by a section of the Army not in agreement with Obasanjo's action of 1979 about the manipulated elections, Shagari's government was brought to an end on 31 Dec 1983. That led us to the long military rule between 1984 and 1999.

The Inglorious Annulment of Abiola's presidential election victory

Then, 10 years after, came MKO Abiola and his Presidential ambition. He had overwhelming support and won in the most peaceful, orderly freest and fairest election held on a perfect day with a blessed weather. What happened? The Yorubas ganged up with the IBB and the military top brass to deny Abiola. The game they claimed they played was to revenge on Abiola's clandestine role in denying Awolowo the Nation's presidency twice.

Tinubu on the trial

Thirty years after, in 2023, Tinubu was aspiring to be President alongside an incumbent Vice President, a younger personality and another Yoruba man. Some of us felt, it was deserving for the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to be accorded all the possible support the Yoruba race can pulled together. At the end of the APC presidential primaries held in Abuja, EMILOKAN was cocretised as Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged with overwhelming lead as the APC flag bearer. Come 2027, another opportunity is knocking on our door as Yoruba. Are we going to accept the beckon from President Tinubu to support his second term ambition or we want to wish the beckon away?

Justification for the sought support and solidarity among Yorubas for President Tinubu

It is not about pettiness of Tinubu, being our kinsman. It is about lending genuine support to a courageous Yoruba politician who has taken after the Late Awolowo and Abiola to properly define Nigeria and the kind of structure it deserves in order to pride in having True Federalism. Autonomy of the Local Government, Initiation of returning the governance of the country on Regional basis with a weak centre, Restructuring of the Nation's Resources, State Police, etc are visible concerted efforts to give birth to a New Nigeria - where “tongue and tribe may differ but in unity we stand.”

Conclusion:

YORUBA R’ONU! Let's rally round Asiwaju of Lagos, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the actualisation of his second term bid, come January 2027. Nigeria stands to gain so much for rediscover in the comity of Nations. If the Yorubas give solid support required to Jagaban Borgu and the Emperor of the Bourdilon, we will live to remember that once upon a time, “the stone that the builder rejected, eventually became the cornerstone of the house” (Psalms 118:22).

Late Obafemi Awolowo did what were regarded as impossible and unbelievable in terms of institutions established, programmes executed in less than 6 years in the Western Region as the Premier. No wonder why the Late Biafran warlord, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (The Ikemba of Nnewi) declared at Ikenne on 09 May 1987 as he came uninvited to pay last respect to “AWO - the best President that Nigeria never had.” As a convert in the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have full conviction that we have never had a better President in our history as a Nation than His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Apart from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu being a fisher of men who can buy-into his agenda for a successful government, he is a political juggernaut of exceptional calibre, an unrepentant strategist and a master of the game on the Nigeria's political stage, who's difficult to edge out at an election. This is a pride to us as Yoruba Nation that one of our own is determined to turn the fortune of Nigeria around for better. He was from a humble background. He experienced poverty. He worked hard and overcame, to become the man he is today. Let's use our education, apply wisdom and discretion required to give our support to him at the January 2027 presidential polls and let it be on record that we played our part very well.

Thank you.

Prince (Mayor) Ayokangun Onatola
Ulé Ọmọ Ajíṣafẹ́.

19 July 2026.

STANDING OVATION FORHIS EXCELLENCY ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU - THE PRESIDENT & COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE NIGERIA'S ARMED...
17/07/2026

STANDING OVATION FOR
HIS EXCELLENCY ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU - THE PRESIDENT & COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE NIGERIA'S ARMED FORCES.

ON HIS GROUND BREAKING ACHIEVEMENTS, INCLUDING
(1) DECENTALISATION OF MILITARY TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL-BASED COMMISSIONS
(3) CREATION OF STATE POLICE
(4) EMPOWERING STATES FOR INDEPENDENT POWER GENERATION, DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING
(5) AND LOTS MORE TO COME.

EMILOKAN 2023 (RENEWED HOPE) TO DUROGIDIGBA 2027 (ASSURED HOPE)... YOU REMAIN THE BEST PRESIDENT YET UNRIVALLED IN STRATEGY, POLITICAL CALCULATIONS AND INFLUENCE.

07/04/2026

Retrospectively Copied/

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MEETING OF MY TWO NATIONAL PRESIDENTS ON 18-19 MARCH 2026.

Introduction

I have read so much about Nigeria’s colonialism by the United Kingdom. I have seen and lived through the goodness that British gave to Nigeria, just as records abound about the gains of the British for the colonial era and beyond.

In 1914, under the superintendence of the then Governor-General, Sir Lord Lugard, Northern and Southern protectorates were merged together to become Nigeria and the River Niger was used as the midpoint.

With growing agitation for independence, the British bequeathed a marked politics of division among the Nigeria constituents. At independence, the country was handed parliamentary system of government, with Late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe as ceremonial President and Late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister, without any National Election.

Perhaps, the British saw the desperation of Nigeria’s early political leaders to be in charge of their own affairs. Nigeria was divided politically along three (3) Regions – the monolithic North and the polylithic South of the Eastern Region and Western Region. The British encouraged dependence on agricultural products due to vast land and massive human population in Nigeria. Cocoa was the main source of government earning in the West, Kolanut and groundnut in the North and coal in the East of Nigeria.

Struggles for Independence from Britain

Gaining of independence by Nigeria on 01 October 1960 was akin to a situation of an apprentice in a hurry to get freedom from his boss, without convincing preparation on the part of the former, for independent existence. The British gave Nigeria good roads, good hospitals, functional schools, uninterrupted power supply. Nigeria were immature about the importance of the abundant natural mineral resources hidden underground. The British did not instil maintenance culture, a true sense of patriotism, unity in diversity the need to cherish every human life and the importance of good governance in our leaders in the event of their Nationalist struggles.

Discovery of Fuel with no corresponding developments

Nigeria is a blessed nation with good population (as human resources), vast arable land, many rivers sea including Atlantic ocean, perfect weather, abundant natural resources – all of which should make the Nation one of the 10 richest countries in the World. As a producer of crude oil, Nigeria ranks as the sixth largest exporter of crude oil in the World but nothing to show for this in concrete terms of development.

Political Governance

The Nation is unlucky to have got an ill-prepared personality as the pioneer Prime Minister which made many vital issues of pointers to meaningful development not to have seen the light of the day. The political leaders never worked together but each concerned with development of his own Region only. This explains while till date, the West of Nigeria is the most developed in terms of economic, educational and physical infrastructures, due to pragmatism of the Obafemi Awolowo-led government of the Action Group party. The Eastern Region is distant apart to what obtains in the North and West, due to the effect of the civil war they were engulfed in. The little development in the North was due to the Federal might.

Political leadership succession at the Federal level has not been on merit but by ethnic sentiments. So a region presents whoever can spend lavishly for his campaigns and for votes buying. Upon assumption of office, the elected officials begin to look for ways to recoup funds expended for his election at the detriment of state development.

Due diligence is rarely done to elect people into positions. That explains why elected officials do not often talk about what happens in society other than to promise building bridges where there are no rivers nor hills. They spend money on elephant projects which get abandoned before their tenure of office expires.

When the new government emerges, it starts its own programme without any sense of continuity of an ongoing project from the predecessor.

Security

The threat to life and unsafe property in Nigeria is a result of insensitivity on the part of government. When elections are coming, they hire mercenaries (as illegal voters) from neighbouring countries. In some cases, these men were dressed in military uniforms and armed to oppress opponents. After elections, no one cares about the return of those illegal migrants to their original countries. So, it is not impossible that those are the retinues of the terrorist groups going about looting and maiming innocent and vulnerable citizens and residents of some states in Nigeria.

It needs be stated here that the Muslims and Christians in Nigeria inter-marry. Those aliens and Islamic extremists are those causing disaffection and crisis in some parts of Nigeria. That’s where President Trump and his Congress men got things wrong about Nigeria.

Although, it remains questionable how America can present to live Nigeria more than Britain that nurtured the country, except Trump is on a selfish venture.

The State of Commonwealth and relevance to Nigeria of today

For the records, Nigeria as a commonwealth country has been denied the expected opportunities in the last 40-50 years. Nigerians contribute so much to the economy of the United Kingdom yet they are not accorded same treatment as other commonwealth Nations. Perhaps, the meeting of my two (2) Presidents will look into this concern and make necessary amend.

Britain and Nigeria: What future together?

I strongly liken this visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Head of His Majesty Government, HRM King Charles III, to the story of the return of the prodigal son to his father’s empire, after many years of recklessness and wasteful spending.

The King of England should be kind to take the Nigeria’s President down the memory lane on the goodness of the British to the Nigerians as at independence. There is a need for deep reflection on why many functional infrastructures are now in state of disrepair and neglect.

This landmark meeting should be to re-orientate the Nigeria’s government on how to tread the path to regain her lost glory. It should start with good examples from Nigerian leaders to the governed. It is an embodiment of true democracy – government of the people, by the people and for the people. The era of moneybags imposing themselves as leaders should be of past. True democratic leaders must seek to foster interest of their constituents. Electoral promises must be kept to and fulfilled. Continuity in government is crucial and cannot be wished away.

Regular training and retraining of the uniformed professionals – customs service, immigration service, the police, the armed forces (army, navy and airforce) should be of utmost priority. Civil service and pensioners must be well catered for and adequately remunerated. There must be programmes targeted at the youth for preparation for future leadership roles. Likewise, the aged/Elderly Nigerians should no longer be treated like rags – there should be programmes to cater for these senior citizens in their later life.

Conclusion

So far, since independence to date, Nigeria is yet to have a proper development plan that is encompassing. The country has always been run by ‘make-shift’ government, with the successive federal and state governments not having clear-cut direction on what they set to achieve.

There are laws and regulations in Nigeria, with a written Constitution but enforcement is lacking. Court judgements are disregarded even by the executive with impunity. The County Governors Governors are singing discordant tones to the aspiration of President Tinubu for a true Federal system. Funds to Local Governments as the third-tier of government has been markedly increased but the Governors in some States (including of the ruling party at the Federal (All Progressive Congress – APC) do not allow the Local Government to use the money. This is despite the Supreme Court ruling for local government autonomy.

Recommendations

I strongly feel that the March 18-19 2026 meeting will be epoch and memorable if it is not based on what Britain stands to benefit from Nigeria alone, but to extend to genuine concern that Britain has for Nigeria to live up to desired expectations of the World as the Giant of Africa – the most populous Black Nation, blessed immensely with all resources that a Nation needs to be a super power in the comity of Nations.

1) Britain needs to reclaim her bond with Nigeria, not allowing any usurper to trespass on one of her most cherished territories. This will be a clear demonstration of renewed interest of Britain at seeing Nigeria grow better and develop rapidly to be fit her age at 65 after independence.

2) This visit should afford President Tinubu to hint of our realisation of the present system of government as being capitalistic. As a people, we may want Britain to be aware of our desire to return to Regional governmental system, and this time not on the basis of former North, East and West Regions but along the six (6) geopolitical boundaries with a weak centre in due course.

3) There must be a serious discussion on how Britain will help to reinforce security in Nigeria in order to ensure safety of lives and protection of property.

Long live the King!

Long live the Great Britain!!

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

This script is borne out of personal conviction/persuasion and my sincere sense of patriotism to both Nations – Britain and Nigeria, that I am proud of as their citizen – with my first 43 years in Nigeria and over half of that, as a resident in the United Kingdom.

I remain

Ayokangun Dimeji ONATOLA

Address

Luton

Telephone

0447424855732

Website

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