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2027 Elections: Experts Decry Leadership Failure, Chart Way Forward at SWEGOP Anniversary
• EFCC, ICPC strong in law, weak in action – Akande
• Online publishers must rescue Nigeria’s democracy – Farounbi
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, prominent voices in media, governance, and civil society have expressed concern over the country’s deepening leadership deficit, warning that continued public distrust, systemic corruption, and elite capture could threaten democratic consolidation.
The alarm was sounded on Wednesday at the 9th Anniversary Lecture and Award Ceremony of the South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP), held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State. The event drew a cross-section of journalists, academics, diplomats, and public policy experts who gathered to reflect on the theme of good governance and national rescue.
Delivering the keynote on behalf of the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Adeolu Akande, a respected journalist, editor, and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Idowu Johnson presented a critical evaluation of Nigeria’s governance architecture, warning that the country has been “captured by the bourgeoisie,” leaving democratic ideals hollow and leadership without legitimacy.
“The Nigerian state has been hijacked by an elite class whose primary interest is accumulation and self-preservation,” Johnson said. “Until we address this structural distortion, we cannot talk about good governance, justice, or national development.”
He noted that more than sixty years after independence, millions of Nigerians still lack access to basic social services such as education, healthcare, housing, and food. Johnson recalled a time in the 1970s when modest salaries could afford decent living and personal growth, contrasting it with today’s harsh economic realities.
According to him, Nigeria’s progressive decline in service delivery is evident in the education sector, where PhD tuition at the University of Ibadan has risen from ₦19,000 in 2003 to over ₦300,000 in recent years, while academic staff salaries have barely moved. This, he said, has made education inaccessible to many and worsened the brain drain.
Johnson described the state of healthcare as equally worrisome, recalling how Lagos once had functional and free primary healthcare centres during his childhood. He lamented that the collapse of such essential systems has pushed the country deeper into poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment.
The speaker identified corruption, lack of accountability, money politics, ethno-religious manipulation, and abuse of the rule of law as major barriers to good governance. He criticized the failure of anti-corruption agencies like EFCC and ICPC, noting that despite having strong legal frameworks, they remain weak in execution and selective in enforcement.
“Impunity thrives because nobody has been punished. Those who destroyed the economy still walk free and even contest elections. The institutions exist, but they lack political will and courage,” Johnson said.
The Don stressed that the 2027 elections represent a critical opportunity to reform Nigeria’s democratic process and rebuild public trust. Among his recommendations were electoral reforms, including electronic transmission of results, recovery of looted funds, institutional strengthening, and the enforcement of campaign finance laws.
Johnson also challenged journalists and citizens to go beyond commentary and actively participate in politics. “Why can’t media professionals or the average Nigerian run for governor or president?” he asked. “Because politics has been monetized. A governorship race can cost up to ₦50 billion—this must change.”
Earlier in his welcome address, SWEGOP President, Pastor Bisi Oladele, described the lecture as a timely intervention to address the widening gap of trust between government and the governed. The ex-Nation Newspaper Southwest Bureau Chief said SWEGOP remains committed to professionalising online journalism, defending press freedom, and promoting civic education.
“We are building a Guild that holds power accountable and empowers the people,” Oladele said. “We want to transform online publishing in Nigeria into a credible, ethical, and development-focused sector.”
Also speaking, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines and veteran journalist, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, underscored the media’s central role in shaping the nation’s democratic future. He urged online publishers to become watchdogs of democracy by fact-checking claims, investigating corruption, and tracking campaign promises.
“You cannot recycle the same politicians and expect different results,” Farounbi said. “Online media must educate the masses, mobilise the youth, and expose the rot in the system. That is the only way to reclaim Nigeria.”
He also emphasized the need to amplify the voices of minority groups, women, and the opposition, while discouraging hate speech and promoting issue-based campaigns that strengthen national unity.
In a goodwill message, Mr. Awowole Brown, representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote, commended SWEGOP for its resilience and reaffirmed Dangote Group’s support for independent media. He acknowledged the financial struggles faced by journalists and praised their continued commitment to public interest.
“Despite poor remuneration and hostile working conditions, journalists remain undeterred. Their contributions are invaluable, and as a brand, we recognise their growing influence and integrity,” Brown stated.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has mourned the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo, popularly known as Able, describing his demise as a painful loss to the progressive family.
Oladipupo, who represented Ibadan North-West Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician and committed party loyalist until his passing.
Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, said the late politician’s death had created a vacuum within the party and among those who benefitted from his unwavering commitment to public service.
In a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the federal lawmaker described the late Oladipupo as a dependable progressive, humble political actor and loyal party stalwart whose impact would remain indelible.
He said the deceased dedicated his life to serving humanity, strengthening the progressive movement and supporting the aspirations of many at the grassroots.
Oseni said, “The death of Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo (Able) came to me as a rude shock. Oyo State and the progressive family have indeed lost a committed, loyal and selfless leader whose passion for service, humility and dedication to the people stood him out.
“He was not just a politician but a bridge-builder, a dependable ally and a grassroots mobiliser who believed strongly in the ideals of our great party. His contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and his service to humanity will remain unforgettable.”
The APC senatorial candidate noted that the late former lawmaker remained steadfast in promoting peace, unity and political development, adding that his simplicity and accessibility endeared him to many across political divides.
According to Oseni, the late politician’s legacy of service and sacrifice would continue to inspire younger politicians and party faithful.
He, however, urged members of the APC, associates and family members of the deceased to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the positive impact he made during his lifetime.
Oseni also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
State governors have proposed a new national minimum wage of N100,000 for Nigerian workers as part of efforts to cushion them from the biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed the proposal on Saturday in a post by the state government’s official Facebook page. He said the move aims to improve workers’ welfare while ensuring that government finances remain sustainable.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances.”
The NGF chairman explained that ongoing discussions are focused on balancing the need to boost workers’ purchasing power with the capacity of governments to deliver essential public services and development projects.
“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain projects that directly impact citizens,” he added.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national debates on salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to contend with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Currently, Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month. Some states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, are already paying above the national benchmark to support workers amid the country’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to call for a comprehensive review of salaries, insisting that workers deserve a living wage that reflects present-day economic realities rather than merely guaranteeing survival.
The average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, rose to N1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, representing a 23.69 per cent increase compared to the N1,239.33 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, findings by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have shown.
The sharp rise in petrol prices came amid mounting inflationary pressure and worsening living costs, with Nigerians grappling with soaring transportation and food expenses that have continued to shrink household purchasing power.
The NBS disclosed this in its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for April 2026, released on Friday.
The report further showed that on a month-on-month basis, petrol prices rose by 18.97 per cent from N1,288.54 recorded in March 2026, underscoring persistent volatility in the downstream petroleum market.
A breakdown of prices across states revealed that Yobe recorded the highest average retail price for petrol at N1,599.05 per litre during the review period.
Edo and Bauchi followed closely with average prices of N1,595.74 and N1,589.07, respectively.
However, Niger residents paid the least for petrol at an average of N1,403.89 per litre, while Sokoto and Katsina recorded N1,404.16 and N1,406.28 respectively.
At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average retail price at N1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West posted the lowest at N1,508.81.
The latest petrol price increase comes as millions of Nigerians continue to battle the ripple effects of rising inflation, with higher energy costs worsening transportation fares and the prices of essential commodities.
Similarly, the NBS said the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas, rose by 13.73 per cent month-on-month to N8,706.93 in April 2026 from N7,655.73 recorded in March.
On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 10.42 per cent from N7,885.60 recorded in April 2025.
Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa at N9,451.70 and Bayelsa at N9,422.74.
In contrast, Anambra recorded the lowest average price at N7,204.76, while Ondo and Ogun followed with N7,239.49 and N7,825.75, respectively.
At the regional level, the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,025.07, followed by the North-East at N8,847.16, while the South-East posted the lowest average price at N8,224.37.
Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month to N22,382.20 in April 2026 from N19,652.83 in March.
Compared to April 2025, the price rose by 10.43 per cent from N20,268.06.
According to the NBS LPG Price Watch for April, Katsina recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N25,596.71, followed by Kogi at N24,558.25 and Gombe at N24,438.97.
Ogun recorded the lowest average price at N19,564.36, while Bauchi and Anambra followed at N20,178.87 and N20,511.90 respectively.
The North-West recorded the highest zonal average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N23,276.95, followed by the North-Central at N22,865.29, while the South-East posted the lowest average at N21,060.92.
The latest figures signal growing pressure on household energy costs, raising concerns over the implications for inflation and the cost of living in the coming months.
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