Ex-Minister Ezekwesili: Nigeria Needs Rebirth, Not Just Election Focus

Former Minister of Education and Chairperson of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has cautioned Nigerians against centering their national discourse solely on the 2027 presidential election. She contends that the country's more pressing challenge lies in the fundamental failures of its political and governance systems.

Ezekwesili emphasized during an AriseTV PrimeTime interview that Nigeria urgently requires a profound conversation about its future. This dialogue, she explained, should focus on establishing shared national values, a common vision, and a political system capable of fostering meaningful development for its citizens. She argued that the persistent focus on elections has diverted attention from the structural problems contributing to the nation's deteriorating political, economic, and social conditions.

Challenging the notion that Nigeria's current state is its destiny, Ezekwesili asserted that the situation is a product of deliberate political choices and systems that are amenable to change. "The greatest tragedy of the country is this resignation that this is our destiny. I say no. This is by design. It is not our destiny," she stated.

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The greatest tragedy of the country is this resignation that this is our destiny. I say no. This is by design. It is not our destiny.

She further elaborated that a national conversation is needed to forge an agreement on shared values and a national vision, which should then serve as the foundation for a new constitutional arrangement. Ezekwesili lamented the deficit in Nigeria's social contract, social cohesion, and social capital, noting how these deficiencies exacerbate ethnic, religious, and other divisions. A compelling national vision, she believes, is necessary to unite citizens around the Nigerian project beyond their ethnic or religious identities.

Ezekwesili also criticized the political elite for failing to initiate the essential conversation required to transform Nigeria from a mere geographical entity into a cohesive nation. She argued that since independence, Nigeria has not adequately engaged in the national dialogue needed to establish shared values, agree on a national vision, and develop a constitution based on such consensus. Regarding the 2027 election, Ezekwesili reiterated her support for Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, based on her assessment of his leadership qualities.

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We should have really had a conversation that would get us to the place where we would agree that these are shared values; this is our national vision, and then come up with a constitution based on that.