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.