Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has criticized Nigerian politicians, arguing that their sense of patriotism is limited to their time spent in office. She described these leaders as predators who abandon their commitment to the nation once they are no longer in power.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Ezekwesili observed that politicians in power often reject criticism by labeling dissenters as enemies of the state. As the founder of the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance, she expressed concern that the recurring election cycles in the country have severely diminished human dignity and the perceived value of life.
Ezekwesili warned against prioritizing the 2027 general elections, urging citizens to focus instead on the country’s current condition. She argued that the nation currently lacks effective leadership, leading to the decay of citizen welfare. According to her, the Nigerian state feels abandoned by those who claim to serve it, only displaying patriotism when it benefits their tenure. She emphasized that the nation is currently in a state of denial regarding its decline, and she challenged Nigerians to start voting in their own best interests rather than merely participating in cyclical political processes.
