2027: Stakeholders Urge Accountability, Stronger Democracy

Stakeholders have called on Nigerians to demand accountability from political leaders, reject identity politics and strengthen democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They made the call at the Megastar Man of the Decades Awards, where speakers examined the theme, “The Road to 2027: Citizens, Stakeholders, and the Democracy We Choose.”

Former Ogun State Governor and Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who delivered the keynote address, said democracy went beyond voting during elections, stressing the need for accountability, protection of fundamental rights and effective service delivery.

Daniel urged Nigerians to demand practical solutions to the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and challenges in education, healthcare, electricity and infrastructure.

He said the country must move from campaign promises to measurable performance and assess public office holders based on their achievements.

“We cannot build a united nation with a divided conscience, and we cannot demand responsibility while tolerating irresponsibility,” he said.

Daniel also urged political candidates to present credible programmes and demonstrate integrity, while electoral institutions must operate transparently and impartially.

He called on security agencies to protect citizens without political bias and urged young Nigerians to recognise their role in shaping the country’s present and future.

Earlier, the Executive Producer of the awards, Dr Adeniyi Ifetayo, urged Nigerians to move from complaints to active participation in the democratic process.

Ifetayo advised citizens to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, ask political leaders critical questions and resist attempts to use them to promote division.

He also called on stakeholders in government, business, the media and civil society to demonstrate integrity and contribute to building a better country.

Using an account of how he nearly drowned while swimming as a young boy, Ifetayo expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome its challenges through collective effort and faith.

Also speaking, the Director-General of Strategic Communication and Events Management to Nasarawa State Governor, Mallam Yakubu Lamai, who represented Governor Abdullahi Sule, urged Nigerians to reject identity politics and support leaders committed to national unity and responsible governance.

Lamai said Nigeria’s experience with successive election cycles had shown the need to examine the quality and character of political leadership.

He recalled that the late literary icon, Chinua Achebe, in his 1983 book, The Trouble with Nigeria, identified the failure of leadership to set good personal examples as a major challenge facing the country.

According to Lamai, politicians who exploit religious, ethnic and regional sentiments for electoral gains undermine national unity and deepen public distrust.

He challenged Nigerians to consider the kind of leadership they wanted in 2027, urging them to support politicians who promote hope and national cohesion rather than bitterness and division.

Lamai also stressed the need for citizens to take ownership of the democratic process, noting that the character of elected leaders would determine the country’s direction.

He congratulated the organisers of the awards, describing the gathering as an opportunity for reflection on Nigeria’s democratic future.