Senator Ede Dafinone has called for a decisive shift from political rhetoric to practical, solution-driven governance, warning that electoral victories in Nigeria must begin to translate into real and measurable benefits for citizens.
The Delta Central lawmaker made this known while speaking at the third edition of the Advocate Lecture Series organised by Advocate Publication Ltd, publishers of Advocate Newspaper. The event, held at Wetland Hotel in Ughelli, Delta State, brought together key stakeholders from the political, media, and civic space to deliberate on governance challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lecture, themed “From Ballot to Patronage: Why Electoral Victory Fails to Deliver Good Governance in Nigeria,” served as a platform for critical reflection on the country’s democratic journey and the persistent gap between electoral success and effective governance.
Addressing participants, Dafinone stressed the importance of moving beyond mere identification of problems to implementing workable solutions. He noted that while public discourse often focuses on what is wrong with the system, the real challenge lies in fixing those issues through deliberate and sustained action.
“I am always encouraged when conversations like this go beyond pointing out problems and begin to offer real solutions,” he said. “It is easy to highlight what is not working, but far more important to focus on how we can address these challenges in a meaningful way.”
The senator also addressed growing concerns about the possibility of Nigeria drifting toward a one-party state, particularly as political realignments continue ahead of the next election cycle. According to him, defections to ruling parties are not a new phenomenon in the country’s political landscape.
“As we approach the 2027 elections, there are fears in some quarters about one-party dominance,” Dafinone said. “However, this is a pattern we have consistently seen since 1999, where mid-term political movements often favor the ruling party.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s electoral process, he acknowledged improvements over the years, particularly in the 2023 general elections, which he said witnessed increased voter awareness and relatively improved credibility. However, he noted that significant challenges remain, especially the persistent issue of vote-buying.
“In 2023, Nigerians showed greater awareness, and the credibility of votes improved,” he stated. “But the issue of vote-buying still persists, and it points to a deeper problem — a lack of trust in the system, where many citizens feel their votes do not truly count.”
Dafinone further defended recent economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy. He described the decision as necessary, albeit difficult, noting that previous administrations had avoided such measures due to political considerations.
“Leaders in the past avoided certain tough decisions because they wanted to remain popular,” he said. “The current administration has chosen the more difficult path in the interest of long-term national development. Though the impact is being felt now, Nigerians will eventually benefit from these reforms.”
In his keynote address, Charles Apoki delivered a critical assessment of Nigeria’s democratic system, arguing that citizens have largely lost ownership of governance. He maintained that the current reality falls short of the fundamental principles of democracy.
“Democracy is meant to be government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” Apoki said. “But what we see today is different — the people no longer truly own the government.”
He attributed this disconnect to widespread political ignorance and the monetisation of the electoral process. According to him, many Nigerians compromise their civic rights for short-term financial gains, while politicians often prioritise personal interests over public service.
“Nigerians are selling their rights for small sums of money, and politicians are turning personal ambitions into public agendas,” he stated, adding that many aspiring leaders lack clear and actionable development plans.
Apoki also criticised the high cost of politics in Nigeria, describing it as a major barrier to credible leadership and effective governance. He argued that the financial burden associated with contesting elections often pushes elected officials to focus on recouping their investments rather than serving the public.
“Politics in Nigeria has become too expensive,” he said. “Those who emerge victorious are often more concerned about recovering what they spent, and this fuels a system heavily influenced by political godfathers.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Publication Ltd, Shedrack Onitsha, explained that the theme of the lecture was deliberately chosen to address the persistent gap between electoral mandates and governance outcomes.
“Over the years, we have observed that winning elections does not necessarily translate into good governance,” Onitsha said. “Governments come into power with promises, but in many cases, there is little to show at the end of their tenure.”
The event also featured panel discussions and goodwill messages from dignitaries across various sectors. Among those represented was Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside other stakeholders who echoed the need for comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions.
Participants at the lecture collectively called for greater accountability, institutional strengthening, and citizen engagement to ensure that democracy delivers tangible dividends to Nigerians. As the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, speakers emphasised that addressing systemic challenges will be critical to restoring public confidence in governance and ensuring sustainable national development.
