Innocent Ojefia Blog

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday criticized the Peoples Democratic Party, stating that the party had failed the people of the state. He remarked that the party leadership had not fulfilled its expected role since the political crisis began. Fubara made these comments while hosting a delegation from the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by its Chairman, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. Fubara said the state was currently relying on truth rather than party politics, adding that the state would no longer be held back by party affiliation but would instead stand firm on its own to defend democracy. Fubara stated, "In our state today, we are no longer doing party. We are doing a movement, so you don’t blame me if I don’t side with the party too much."

It seems that integrity is no longer valued. Decades ago, a man’s word was his bond. If he said something, he meant it, and his actions were consistent with his beliefs. Accusations were based on substance, not personal attacks or fabricated charges. Today, people often behave unacceptably and then try to justify it. Society has become so self-absorbed and lacking in accountability that integrity appears to have been sidelined. What that results in is what we are seeing, the rise of systemic narcissism and a population of selfish, narcissistic people that are unable to foresee the disastrous consequences of their behaviour. In these times, politics, law, business, religion, and other positions of power now attract sociopaths—those without a conscience or moral code. Their corruption has infiltrated the mainstream population. Our greatest challenge is that we do not hold the corrupt accountable. Loyalty to party, ethnic, and religious affiliations often leads us to overlook wrongdoing b...

As we approach another political season, it is crucial to reflect on our past experiences and recognize the patterns that often unfold. We must confront a harsh reality: we have been used. It is time to refuse to be manipulated once again. Consider this: have the politicians who sought your support and vote in the last election been in touch with you since then? Reflect on your interactions with political representatives and candidates over the past few years. Have you felt their presence or support in addressing the issues that matter most to you? More often than not, the answer is a resounding no. How have you been impacted since the last election? Take a moment to evaluate the changes in your community and personal life since the last time politicians and candidates courted your support and vote. Have the promises made during the campaign been fulfilled? Have you seen tangible improvements, or have things remained the same, if not worsened? It is a familiar scenario: you suddenly be...

Imbecile institutions, misguided economic policies, and self-aggrandisement remain the greatest impediments to Nigeria’s development, reaffirmed Nigerian academic based in the United States, Dr. Enajite Enajero, yesterday. “Ceremonialism has overshadowed our minds in Nigeria and the Okpe Kingdom. The three economic players—leaders, entrepreneurs, and consumers—have become ineffective. Leaders have failed in governance because of a 'my-village-first' philosophy. Our Okpe elites cannot be entrepreneurs and set up businesses that could employ the youths, because one must be purposeful, deliberative, and calculative to be successful in business. We cannot even be consumers owing to complete devotion to past habits. We consume foods our forefathers consumed, not because of their nutritional content. Ceremonial behaviors have brought poverty to the land. Leaders, elites, and commoners must learn to separate ceremonial from instrumental values like many other nations, or we must purge...

Today marks Democracy Day in Nigeria, a nation that has experienced twenty-four years of uninterrupted civil rule. As Nigeria observes this significant day, it is crucial to reflect on the true state of the nation. The past twenty-four years have revealed a harsh reality: the ideals of democracy have not been fully realized. Instead, the country has been beset by poor leadership, rampant corruption, and stagnant economic development. Celebrating democracy in this context seems both misguided and illusory. Rather than bringing prosperity and development, these years have often brought hardship to the people. The ideal of democracy as "government of the people, by the people, for the people" appears to be a distant dream in the Nigerian context. At the time of independence, Nigeria held immense potential. Sadly, this promise has been hijacked and diminished by a political leadership that often operates more like a criminal enterprise. Many Nigerians now question whether the cou...

The frenzy, spearheaded by Rev. Francis Waive, among serving Delta State's National Assembly (NASS) members over Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's puerile gift of jeeps to them is the height of glorification of insensitive governance induced by extreme greed and shamelessness. Since March 14th, a rubber-stamp Delta State House of Assembly, playing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's script, has suspended Hon. Matthew Omonade, a member representing Ughelli North Constituency 1, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The victim's offense was protesting that the Governor had plagiarized his intellectual property. A bill he (Omonade) conceived and presented for the House's hearing was swept under the carpet by Speaker Emotimi Guwor. The same Speaker would read the same bill, word for word, to the Assembly as an Executive Bill. Not only is the intimidated lawmaker a constituent of Rep. Waive, but Omonade got his state assembly seat on the same platform as Waive go...

On Friday, May 31st, during the funeral service for the Late Asagba of Asaba, the essence of true leadership was vividly displayed. The service featured the introduction of various dignitaries, including Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation who represented President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. As each dignitary was introduced, the church remained silent. However, the atmosphere dramatically changed when the name of Former Governor James Ibori was announced; the congregation erupted in wide jubilation and applause. This reaction was so profound that even Senator George Akume and Governor Obaseki could not hide their astonishment. The enthusiastic reception for Chief James Ibori during this solemn occasion highlighted his enduring legacy among the people of Delta State. Despite having left office seventeen years ago, he continues to be celebrated whenever he attends public functions i...