A Former National Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in charge of Southwest, Prof Lai Olorode has placed politics over governance as the major challenge confronting public administration in Nigeria.
He said what brings about transformation in any country is ethical governance and not politics.
Prof Olorode made the statement while speaking to Channels Television at a workshop on the “Bisi Akande Phenomenon Governance , Economy and Politics in Iwo, Osun State .
He said “The major challenge confronting public administration in this country is that our leaders place too much priority on politics and they focus less on governance and what bring about transformation in any country is not politics, it is more of governance.”
“Not allowing internal Party democracy to triumph in this country is another major challenge and this is one issue that is setting us back, some money bags will bankroll party primaries and will short-change the people. That is why it is very difficult for people to have local government elections all over the country, so there is a lesson for us to learn, party supremacy is very important.
Individuals fizzle away no matter how powerful they are, they are just individuals the social process must be allowed to come to a fruitful conclusion.” He stressed.
‘I think there are some lessons for aspiring and living politicians to learn that ethical Governance is the way to lead this country to the Promised Land. If we continue like this, the way we are doing in this country, we are not likely to place governance over politics and that is not good for our democracy. “He pointed out.
Olorode also stressed the need for Nigerian Leaders to build and strengthen Institutions that are formidable rather than build personality cults around politics.
He advocated for an all-inclusive government to enable the nation grow in all spheres and overcome the present day challenge.
Another Political Science don, Dr Dhikrullah Yagboyaju also pointed out that there can never be development in Nigeria when politics is placed over governance.
“We need to emphasise governance more than politics although it can make a politician very unpopular because if you empahsise it means that when it is necessary to take difficult decisions that can be very painful, you will take it. A normal politician will always like to play to the gallery and to a large extent that is what is prevalent in the country today “.
“I will strongly advise that if politicians will want to be remembered for good then they should place governance over and above politics, he added.
