By GOVERNANCE, academic, civil society, and media leaders gathered at Ughelli, Delta State, on Friday, to address the growing disconnect between politics and governance in Nigeria.
The event marked the second edition of the Advocate Publication Ltd Annual Lecture Series, themed: “Between Governance and Politics: The Delicate Balancing to Ensure Growth and Development.”
In his welcome address, Mr Shedrack Onitsha, Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Publication Ltd, publishers of Advocate Newspaper, explained that the lecture series was created to stimulate critical conversations about Nigeria’s development trajectory.
“We are concerned by a disturbing trend where the quest for political survival eclipses the responsibility of governance. Officeholders are sworn in and immediately begin campaigning for the next election,” he lamented.
Onitsha stressed that national progress is impossible when governance becomes secondary. “We must question the value of politics if it fails to deliver development. This platform represents our modest contribution to nation-building — to inspire a reset in both thought and practice among our leaders,” he added.
Chairman of the event, Olorogun Austin Emaduku, described governance and politics as twin forces that must complement each other.
“Governance is about implementing policies, whilst politics concerns the pursuit of power. However, when power is sought without a governance agenda, the citizenry inevitably suffers. A balance must be achieved to ensure both serve the public good,” he asserted.
Emaduku further argued that sustainable growth is attainable only when politics supports governance rather than undermining it.
He identified strong institutions, ethical leadership, and active citizen engagement as critical pillars for achieving this balance, urging Nigerians to move from passivity to demanding accountability.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Abanum Innocent Ifelunini, a development economist, traced Nigeria’s underdevelopment largely to the politicisation of governance.
“When short-term political interests are prioritised over long-term planning, meaningful development becomes impossible.
“We must rethink the purpose of politics and insist on responsible governance,” he stated.
Speaking to journalists after the event, Professor Ifelunini emphasised the necessity of policy continuity and national planning irrespective of political cycles.
“Governance must not grind to a halt because politics is heating up. True leadership demands looking beyond the next election,” he advised.
Ambassador Pas Edewor Egedegbe, moderator of the panel session and Executive Director of Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative, underlined the role of citizens in bridging the gap between politics and governance.
“Too many Nigerians only engage during elections and retreat thereafter. Governance begins where politics ends — we must hold leaders accountable all year round,” he charged.
Egedegbe also noted the timeliness of the lecture series, particularly given the unfolding political climate in Delta State.
“The importance of this conversation cannot be overstated. Citizens must desist from applauding politicians who fail to deliver; silence, too, is a form of complicity,” he warned.
In a passionate intervention, Mr Onitsha described the situation as a national crisis of misplaced priorities.
“Even midway through tenures, we witness more politicking and campaigning than policy discourse. Where, then, is governance?” he asked.
According to Onitsha, the absence of clear development agendas reflects deeper structural flaws.
“If governance continues to be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition, we shall remain trapped in cycles of poverty and stagnation,” he cautioned.
The panel session featured contributions from Professor Andrew Agboro, Ambassador Stella Odika, and Mr Emmanuel Enebeli, who all underscored the need for electoral reforms, institutional resilience, and sustained public education to rectify the imbalance between politics and governance.
Participants commended Advocate Newspaper for its vision in convening the lecture.
“This is more than a lecture; it is a wake-up call. Our national future hinges on getting governance right,” one attendee remarked.
As proceedings concluded, a clear consensus emerged — Nigeria must recalibrate its leadership ethos.
Politics must cease to be a mere contest for survival and instead become a catalyst for meaningful development.
Governance, they agreed, must be restored to the centre of leadership.
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