A prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Dr. Jelili Akinola, has identified corruption as the primary impediment to Nigeria’s advancement. Speaking during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday, Akinola offered his reflections on 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.
He noted that Nigeria’s experience with democratic governance over the past decades has been characterized by both achievements and lost opportunities, largely due to pervasive corruption. According to Akinola, the persistent misappropriation and mismanagement of public funds have stunted progress in critical areas such as road construction, healthcare, education, and other vital sectors across the nation.
While acknowledging that the country has made notable strides compared to the pre-1999 era, Akinola stressed that the continued siphoning of public resources into private coffers is obstructing national development. He called on the federal government to bolster anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau. He also advocated for impartial prosecution of corrupt individuals, emphasizing that political resolve and transparent governance are essential for Nigeria to achieve its development objectives.
The PDP stalwart further urged citizens to hold elected officials accountable, warning that voter apathy during elections paves the way for poor governance. He stated that genuine progress begins with honest leadership and a populace that refuses to condone the theft of public funds.
Akinola remarked that while democratic consolidation since 1999 has been inconsistent, it has achieved irreversible advancements relative to the era of military rule. He highlighted the establishment of regular elections and peaceful transfers of power as the most significant gains of civilian governance. “Since 1999, we have transitioned from one civilian administration to another without military interference. That alone represents consolidation,” he said. “Nigerians now anticipate elections every four years, a mindset that was absent before.”
Nevertheless, Akinola observed that the quality of democracy remains fragile. He recommended that the National Orientation Agency launch nationwide campaigns to promote patriotism and discourage corruption. He also advised Nigerian leaders to set a positive example and govern with integrity and reverence for God. Additionally, the PDP chieftain called for collaborative efforts to tackle the nation’s security challenges, asserting that meaningful development cannot occur amid instability.