Former presidential aspirant and convener of the YesWeFit Revolutionary Movement, Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to shift focus from early politicking ahead of the 2027 general elections and instead concentrate on delivering good governance to Nigerians.
Speaking during a recent interview, Ikubese emphasized that significant portions of political tenures in Nigeria are wasted on electioneering activities, to the detriment of the people.
On Defections and Political Ideology
Addressing the growing wave of political defections, Ikubese said:
“The rate of defections we’re seeing—and will continue to see—is clearly driven by the approaching 2027 elections. Politicians want to retain their positions and secure re-election, which means they need more votes. At the presidential level, for instance, the more states your party controls, the easier it is to win re-election. That’s essentially what we are witnessing.”
He also questioned the ideological divide between Nigeria’s major political parties, stating:
“What’s the real difference in ideology between these two parties? If I ask you now, what’s the ideological difference between APC and PDP? Can you point to any? There’s no clear distinction.”
Ikubese argued that effective leadership stems from vision, not party loyalty, citing Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as an example:
“Otti is performing because he has a clear vision, believes in accountability, transparency, and leadership. His success isn’t party-dependent.”
On One-Party State Concerns
Responding to fears of Nigeria becoming a one-party state, Ikubese dismissed such concerns as secondary to governance outcomes:
“How many parties are active in Rwanda or Burkina Faso? What matters is not the number of political parties but the quality of governance, true leadership, transparency, and accountability.”
He lamented the recycling of politicians and the lack of genuine leadership, saying:
“We’re putting the wrong people in power and expecting results they’re not wired to deliver. It’s like expecting a man to get pregnant—it’s biologically impossible.”
Proposed Reforms
Ikubese outlined several policy reforms to combat corruption and strengthen governance in Nigeria. Among them are:
- A single, non-renewable six-year term for elected officials to reduce constant politicking.
- Establishment of a Special Anti-Corruption Court with a mandate to conclude corruption cases within six months, imposing life imprisonment without the option of a fine for those found guilty.
- Mandatory monthly publication of income and expenditures by all arms of government to foster transparency.
- Reduction in the cost of nomination forms to make political participation more accessible to committed public servants.
“How can you ask someone to pay N100 million to declare interest in running for president? That’s an investment they’ll surely want to recover in office,” he said.
A Vision for Authentic Leadership
Ikubese concluded that until structural reforms are enacted, governance in Nigeria will continue to be undermined by vested interests rather than public service:
“If these reforms are implemented, only those genuinely committed to public service will step forward.”
