2027: Dafinone Urges Shift From Political Rhetoric To Real Governance Solutions
THE Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, has called for a decisive shift from political rhetoric to practical solutions in tackling Nigeria’s governance challenges.
He warned that electoral victories must translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
Dafinone spoke at the 3rd Advocate Lecture Series organised by Advocate Publication Ltd, publishers of Advocate Newspaper. The event, themed “From Ballot to Patronage: Why Electoral Victory Fails to Deliver Good Governance in Nigeria,” brought together key stakeholders from the political and civic space.
“I am always glad when conversations move beyond identifying problems to offering real solutions,” Dafinone said. “It is easy to talk about what is wrong, but far more important to focus on how we can fix it.”
On concerns about a possible one-party dominance ahead of the 2027 elections, the senator said defections to ruling parties are not new in Nigeria’s political cycle.
“As we approach 2027, many Nigerians are worried about a one-party state. However, this is a familiar mid-term trend we have seen since 1999,” he explained.
Dafinone acknowledged improvements in Nigeria’s electoral process but said major issues still persist.
“Voter awareness improved in 2023 and votes were more credible. However, vote-buying remains a serious problem. It reflects a deeper issue—many Nigerians feel their votes do not count,” he said.
The lawmaker also defended recent economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, describing them as necessary despite current hardships.
“Previous administrations avoided tough decisions to remain popular, but the present government chose the difficult path. I want to assure Nigerians that the benefits will come,” he added.
In his keynote address, Dr. Charles Akpoki delivered a blunt critique of Nigeria’s democratic system, arguing that citizens have lost ownership of governance.
“That is not democracy. Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But in Nigeria today, the people do not own the government,” he said.
Akpoki blamed the disconnect on political ignorance and vote commodification.
“Nigerians sell their rights for small amounts of money, while politicians turn personal interests into public concerns,” he noted.
He also criticised the high cost of politics, describing it as a barrier to credible leadership.
“Politics in Nigeria is too expensive. Those who win often focus on recovering their expenses rather than serving the people,” he added.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Publication Ltd, Shedrack Onitsha, said the lecture was designed to address the gap between electoral success and governance outcomes.
“Elections do not always translate into good governance. Governments come with promises, but often deliver little,” he said.
The event, held at Wetland Hotel in Ughelli, Delta State, featured panel discussions and goodwill messages from dignitaries, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented.
Participants called for urgent reforms to strengthen institutions and ensure democracy delivers real dividends to Nigerians.
