Owning Up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility
This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July. As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development.
The Prime Minister’s planned resignation comes amid mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
Looking inward in our dear country, we can recall our own situation. Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for the then President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians. During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives.
During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments—particularly in providing stable power, fighting corruption, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased. Similar concerns are reflected across other critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, all of which have regressed. We are in the worst possible condition.
I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance. Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity. It would also send a powerful message that public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement, and help build a society in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences. Only by ending the culture of impunity can we secure a better future for the society our children will inherit in a New Nigeria that is possible. -PO
PETER OBI DO NOT HAVE ANY REPUTATION TO PROTECT: Here is why;
As a lawyer, I find the defamation suit reportedly instituted by @PeterObi against @realkenokonkwo rather curious and difficult to appreciate from a strategic standpoint. The essence of a defamation action is the protection of a reputation that has been unjustly damaged. However, where a public figure has been subjected to prolonged public criticism, political scrutiny, and widespread debate over their actions and statements, the practical challenge becomes demonstrating that the alleged defamatory statements have caused a fresh and measurable injury to an already contested public image.
Does Peter Obi even have any reputation to protect? I doubt he has any reputation to be defamed. Reputation is not what a person value himself but what others value him. Peter Obi is banking enforcing a reputation that is long dead, therefore an action like this is laughable.
In a democracy, political figures inevitably expose themselves to intense criticism, and the law of defamation must be carefully balanced against the constitutional right to freedom of expression. The courts are not intended to become venues for settling every political disagreement or silencing harsh opinions.
Nevertheless, whether the action succeeds or fails ultimately depends on the specific words complained of, whether they are statements of fact or opinion, their truth or falsity, whether they were published to third parties, and whether they have lowered the claimant in the estimation of right-thinking members of society.
Let me emphasize it here again, right-thinking members of the society does not include members of the OBIDIENTS movement.
E. O. Ogar, Esq.
MKO Abiola died for a mandate that was stolen.
We named a holiday after him.
The people who stole the mandate named the holiday.
Let that sit with you.
"Please Nigerians forgive me if I have ever made you feel offended. I did a video two days ago, about one hour 30 minutes long, praying for the kidn@pp£d Oyo State school children and teachers. I woke up a day later and discovered that many Nigerians were feeling offended with the video. I also discovered that the video was cut and joined."
— Gospel singer Adeyinka Alaseyori asks for forgiveness after facing båcklash over her recent video.