ABUJA — Former Minister of Information and ex-President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, has issued a stark warning that Nigeria could disintegrate before the 2027 general elections if urgent steps are not taken to restructure the country’s political and economic framework.
Speaking during a keynote address titled “How Did We Get Here?” at the public presentation of two books by veteran journalist Ike Abonyi, Nwodo decried Nigeria’s current governance model, calling it a “unitary constitution disguised as federalism” that is incapable of solving the nation’s mounting crises.
The event, held Wednesday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, attracted a high-profile audience, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi; PDP stalwart Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by PDP Governors’ Forum Director-General, Emmanuel Agbo.
Nwodo made a strong case for restructuring, calling for the devolution of powers to sub-national governments, control of natural resources by regions, and full implementation of fiscal federalism.
“Nigeria must restructure and give its component units sovereignty over their natural resources, provided they pay royalties or taxes to the Federal Government,” he said. “That’s how true democracy will emerge, and development will accelerate.”
Warning of potential chaos if reforms are not urgently addressed, Nwodo cautioned that the 2027 elections could be marred by regional boycotts or total rejection of the results.
“If it does not happen, we will have no alternative but to go our separate ways,” he declared.
Highlighting Nigeria’s worsening economic and social indicators, he cited the UN’s World Population Prospects report, which places Nigeria’s life expectancy at the lowest globally — 54.8 years. He also referenced World Bank data revealing annual losses of over $1 billion due to poor road infrastructure.
Also speaking at the event, former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus launched a scathing critique of the Tinubu administration, accusing the president of presiding over the “gradual liquidation” of Nigeria’s democracy and economy.
“We are still far from achieving true democracy. What we have is just a platform for winning elections,” Secondus said. “Nigeria is drifting toward collapse, and President Tinubu is presiding over it.”
Secondus also condemned the ideological emptiness of Nigeria’s political parties, contrasting them with South Africa’s ANC, which he described as a model of enduring political identity and purpose.
Renowned journalist and former Guardian MD, Martins Oloja, who reviewed Abonyi’s newly launched books — The Bubbles of Nigeria’s Democracy: The Musings of a Nigerian Journalist and Wadata Wonders: Memoirs of a Partisan Journalist — commended the author for embracing his role as a partisan journalist.
“In a functional democracy, alternative viewpoints are essential,” Oloja said. “They foster critical thinking and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.”
Peter Obi’s quiet appearance at the event has stirred speculation about potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, although he made no public remarks during the ceremony.
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