2027: Nigeria needs to be rescued from darkness, hopelessness – NRM

The presidential candidate of the National Rescue Mission, NRM, Esther Okereke, has called on governments and political leaders in the country to focus more on sharing prosperity instead of sharing power

Okereke made the call during the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, in Abuja on Tuesday, adding that leaders have focused on sharing power for too long.

She also noted that for too long, campaigns have been about noise, adding that it should rather be about structure, evidence, and peace, insisting that what the country needs at this point is not another government but to be rescued.

“Rescue from darkness, hunger, insecurity, joblessness and hopelessness,” She said.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of the party, Prince Chinedu Obi, noted that one reason Nigeria can work again is because the country possesses what many nations would regard as extraordinary advantages: namely, a large and youthful population, enormous human  capital, vast  agricultural potential and strategic  geographical location.

Obi said, “The central question, therefore, is not whether Nigeria has potential. Nigeria indeed has potential in abundance. The fundamental question is whether we can  build  the  institutions, leadership systems,  processes and accountability mechanisms required to convert that potential into measurable improvements in the lives of citizens.

“Social justice means creating a political and economic order in which citizenship, opportunity, public resources and the protection of law are not  determined by ethnicity, religion, social status, political connection or access to power.

“The rule of law is not simply  a  constitutional  phrase.  It  is  the  operating  system  of  a functional  state,  where  the  law  is  predictable,  citizens  can  plan.  Where institutions are credible, businesses can invest. Where contracts are enforceable, productivity increases. Where rights are protected, innovation flourishes. Where public officials are accountable, public confidence grows. And where there is confidence in the institutions of government, society becomes more peaceful and productive.

“Elements of China’s extensive anti-corruption experience, particularly its emphasis on institutional discipline, enforcement and consequences for abuse of public office, provide material for comparative policy study.

“However, Nigeria must develop a system consistent with our Constitution, democratic institutions, fundamental rights and rule-of-law obligations.  Our objective is not to copy another country, but to build a Nigerian system that works.

“Government must have standard operating procedures. One of the fundamental weaknesses in public administration is the tendency to substitute discretion for established process. A modern state cannot depend primarily on the personal preferences of whoever happens to occupy an office. Government  must  operate  through  standard  processes,  operational procedures,  institutional  controls  and  measurable  performance indicators.  

“Every ministry, department and agency should have clearly defined: mandates and responsibilities; operational procedures; approval authorities; procurement standards; financial controls; reporting requirements; performance  indicators;  evaluation  and  audit  mechanisms;  service-delivery standards; and most importantly consequences for non-compliance.  

“The objective is to move Nigeria from a system that is often personality-driven to one that is institution-driven. A government should continue to function effectively regardless of who occupies a particular office.”