Ex-presidential candidate challenges Tinubu, Atiku, Obi to debate

A prominent voice from Nigeria's political landscape, former presidential candidate Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, has issued a stark assessment of the nation, labeling it a "failed state" in dire need of a fundamental shift in political focus. Speaking from Enugu, Ndu minced no words in criticizing both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the major opposition parties, accusing them of lacking ideology and being consumed by the pursuit of power rather than the pressing issues of governance.

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I have been watching the Nigerian political terrain and politicians closely since 1992, and my opinion is that over 90 per cent of our politicians do not care about good governance. All they are interested in is how to win elections.

Ndu, who has a history of advocating for robust political discourse, having pioneered Nigeria's first presidential debate in 1992, has now thrown down the gauntlet. He has challenged President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 Labour Party candidate Peter Obi to engage in a "thorough debate" focused on tangible solutions to Nigeria's multifaceted crises. This call for a debate stems from his observation that the current political environment is overwhelmingly dominated by election talk, overshadowing the urgent need for effective governance.

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So far, all the so-called conventions of opposition political parties in Nigeria are about how to win elections and how to defeat President Tinubu and the APC. The APC convention itself was what anyone would expect when you ask an average student to mark his or her own examination papers.

From the perspective of many Nigerians, Ndu's sentiments echo a widespread frustration with the political class. The emphasis on "how to win elections" over "good governance" is a recurring theme, and the APC's convention being likened to students marking their own papers highlights a perceived lack of accountability. The dominance of social media debates about election outcomes, while the country grapples with insecurity and economic woes, is seen as a shameful distraction. Ndu's proposal to structure this dialogue as the "Ernest Ikoli Memorial Presidential Debate" is a nod to national heroes and a call to honor Nigeria's past while forging a better future. His warning that "the black race is doomed" if Nigeria fails underscores the regional significance of the country's stability and progress, a perspective often emphasized within Nigeria and across the African continent.

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What is needed now is a robust debate among all political parties and presidential aspirants on practical solutions to the challenges confronting Nigeria, beginning with insecurity.