Former Akwa Ibom State Governor and then Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has called on Nigerians to reduce the influence of tribalism, ethnicity and religion in the nation’s political affairs.
Akpabio made the call while speaking with a group of journalists led by the publisher of Street Journal Magazine, Wole Arisekola, at his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
During the exclusive interview, the former governor spoke on the 2019 general elections, leadership, his movement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insecurity, constitutional reforms, education, economic development and the future of Nigeria.
On leadership and the 2019 elections
Speaking on the issue of bad leadership and corruption, Akpabio said the quality of leadership in a society was closely connected to the choices made by its people.
He recalled his emergence as governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2007, saying his election was based largely on the confidence reposed in him by the people.
“It depends on what you mean by bad leadership because the followers determine the leadership,” he said.
According to him, his administration introduced what he described as “uncommon transformation” during his eight years in office.
Akpabio stressed that genuine leadership should be driven by love for the people, arguing that a leader who genuinely cares about the welfare of citizens would be willing to make sacrifices for their development.
On the 2019 elections, he admitted that his position could be influenced by his political affiliation after moving from the PDP to the APC.
He said he supported the re-election of then-President Muhammadu Buhari and wanted to see greater participation of people from the South-South and other regions in the Federal Government.
“I would like to see the unity of the South-South people of Nigeria with our Northern brothers and our South-East and South-West brothers too,” he said.
Akpabio added that the 2019 elections should strengthen national unity rather than deepen political divisions.
Why I moved from PDP to APC
Explaining his movement to the APC, Akpabio rejected the description of his action as ordinary political defection.
“I did not defect, I moved to All Progressives Congress (APC) in the national interest,” he said.
He explained that his decision was informed by what he described as the need to protect the stability of the country ahead of the 2019 elections.
According to him, politicians should think beyond the next election and consider the kind of country they would leave for future generations.
“I have a nine-year-old son. If his generation will inherit Nigeria, if we bring Nigeria down and the country crashes even before the 2019 elections, what will I give to my child?” he asked.
Akpabio described his decision as an attempt to support the Federal Government and prevent political developments from destabilising the country.
He said his movement was subsequently described in some quarters as an “uncommon defection” because it did not produce the wave of defections that some had anticipated.
‘There will be no war in 2019’
Akpabio also dismissed fears that the 2019 elections could trigger widespread violence.
“There will be no war in Nigeria in 2019. People should not think of election as war. Election should not be war,” he said.
He recalled an earlier comment in which he used the phrase “Warsaw saw war” while responding to political rhetoric about the 2019 election.
Akpabio said Nigerians should learn from the peaceful transfer of power that followed the 2015 presidential election, when the then ruling party conceded defeat and handed over to the incoming administration.
He expressed confidence that the 2019 election would be free and fair, insisting that the era when votes could allegedly be manipulated at will should end.
Akpabio advocates constitutional reforms
On calls for constitutional reform, Akpabio said Nigeria’s Constitution needed significant changes, particularly in relation to the concentration of powers at the federal level.
He argued that more responsibilities should be transferred to the states to enable them to respond more effectively to local challenges.
Using security as an example, he said state governors often lacked sufficient control over security agencies operating within their jurisdictions.
According to him, the federal control of the police and other security institutions limits the ability of state governments to respond directly to security challenges.
Akpabio also advocated greater state participation in sectors such as transportation, electricity and mineral resources.
He argued that states with the capacity to develop railway systems, power projects and other infrastructure should have greater authority to do so.
The former governor further called for the restructuring and reduction of federal agencies and parastatals, saying excessive recurrent expenditure was limiting the resources available for capital projects.
“We should unbundle the Federal Government,” he said, arguing that reducing the number of federal agencies and senior administrative positions could free resources for development.
Political parties need clear ideologies
Akpabio also called for the development of political parties based on clearly defined ideologies.
He said Nigerian political parties were often treated primarily as platforms for winning elections rather than organisations with identifiable political philosophies.
According to him, parties should have clear positions on issues such as agriculture, workers’ welfare, healthcare, education and economic development.
He also called for stronger democratic institutions and greater accountability in the implementation of party manifestoes.
‘We must improve border control’
Security was another major issue discussed during the interview.
Akpabio identified porous borders as one of the challenges affecting Nigeria’s security, arguing that the country needed stronger border management and better systems for identifying people entering and leaving the country.
He also called for improved coordination among security agencies and stronger institutions.
According to him, Nigeria needed institutions that could function effectively regardless of the personalities occupying political offices.
Akpabio attributed some of the country’s security challenges to developments in other parts of Africa and the Middle East, which he said had contributed to the movement of arms and criminal networks across borders.
Foreign policy should put Nigerians first
The former governor also argued that Nigeria needed to reassess its foreign policy.
He said the country had historically invested considerable resources in peacekeeping and regional interventions but should also pay greater attention to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad.
According to him, Nigeria should ensure that its citizens receive adequate protection and diplomatic support whenever they face serious challenges in foreign countries.
“We should look inwards,” he said, stressing that Nigeria’s foreign policy should be more focused on the interests and welfare of Nigerians.
Akpabio urges youths to reject drugs and cultism
Akpabio urged Nigerian youths to stay away from cultism and drug abuse, which he identified as factors contributing to insecurity and social problems.
He specifically warned against the abuse of substances and urged young Nigerians to pursue constructive activities that could contribute to their personal development and the progress of the country.
The former governor also called for religion to be separated from partisan politics.
“Religion should not come into politics,” he said.
He argued that religious leaders should focus primarily on spiritual and moral responsibilities rather than directing their followers on political choices.
‘Let us deemphasise ethnicity in politics’
Akpabio urged Nigerians to place national interest above ethnic and religious considerations when making political choices.
“Let us deemphasise ethnicity but let’s go for the best hands. If we know those who can do it better, let’s give it to them,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to embrace unity despite their ethnic, religious and regional differences.
“Love should remain the key word for the youths. Nigerians should live together in love irrespective of ethnic or religious differences. We should stand for unity in diversity,” he added.
Akpabio stressed that political competition should not be allowed to destroy the bonds that hold the country together.
“We should not put too much tribalism and ethnicity into politics. We should all love our country as well as see ourselves as one Nigerian,” he said.
On the Buhari administration
Assessing the administration of then-President Muhammadu Buhari, Akpabio said the government had made progress in some areas but could have achieved more with stronger cooperation between the executive and legislative arms.
He particularly cited security as one area where he believed the administration had recorded progress.
According to him, Boko Haram had lost control of territories it once occupied, although the threat had evolved into other forms of attacks.
Akpabio also acknowledged the need for continued efforts to tackle insecurity and strengthen the country’s institutions.
Education needs professional teachers
On education, Akpabio advocated the professionalisation of teaching.
He recalled a period when prospective teachers underwent specialised training before entering the profession.
According to him, possessing a university degree should not automatically qualify someone to become a teacher.
He called for the revival of teacher-training programmes as well as greater emphasis on technical and vocational education.
Akpabio said Nigeria needed to produce young people who could become self-reliant rather than graduates whose primary ambition was to seek white-collar employment.
He identified areas such as information technology, plumbing, electrical work, repairs and other technical professions as fields capable of creating employment and supporting small and medium-sized businesses.
Nigeria at 58
Reflecting on Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary, Akpabio said the country had made progress despite the numerous challenges it had experienced since independence.
He acknowledged the effects of colonialism, the civil war, military interventions and insecurity but argued that Nigeria had continued to survive and develop.
According to him, the country needed to improve its maintenance culture, strengthen healthcare and education, create employment opportunities and address its electricity challenges.
He also called for increased investment in domestic healthcare to reduce the amount of money Nigerians spend seeking medical treatment abroad.
Akpabio said Nigeria should also work towards reducing maternal and infant mortality while improving access to quality healthcare across the country.
Nigeria must diversify its economy
The former governor warned against excessive dependence on crude oil and called for greater investment in natural gas, agriculture and solid minerals.
He argued that Nigeria possessed significant natural resources that could support economic development if properly harnessed.
Akpabio particularly identified natural gas as an area where Nigeria could build a stronger economy, given the country’s substantial gas reserves.
He also called for greater exploitation of solid mineral resources and urged the country to reduce its dependence on oil revenue.
According to him, Nigeria needed to prepare for a future in which global demand for crude oil could decline as countries increasingly adopt alternative energy sources.
‘All hope is not lost’
Despite the challenges confronting Nigeria, Akpabio expressed optimism about the country’s future.
He said Nigeria had made progress in several areas since independence and could achieve more if its leaders and citizens worked together.
He called for improved security, employment creation, power generation, economic diversification, institutional reforms and greater investment in human capital.
Akpabio maintained that political parties would come and go, but Nigeria would remain.
“Political parties come and go, but it is important for us as Nigerians that when we enthrone a government, we should join that government to succeed,” he said.
He expressed hope that the country would eventually overcome its challenges and leave a stronger and more prosperous nation for the next generation.
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