Thugs, Drug barons and Corrupt politicians HIjack Nigeria democracy Ex Ogun Commissioner

 In his keynote address at the Kunle Olubode Lecture Series in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Niran Malaolu, a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Ogun State, lamented that 25 years of democratic rule in Nigeria have done little to address the deep-seated issues facing the country. Malaolu criticized the hijacking of democracy by thugs, drug barons, and corrupt politicians, arguing that the political system is still plagued by the same misgovernance and corruption that characterized military rule.

He reflected on the negative legacy of Nigeria's past military regimes, which, according to him, democratized corruption, neglected agriculture in favor of oil exports, and created an unstable economy. He stressed that the foundation of Nigeria's widespread poverty and dysfunction was laid during the military regimes of the 1980s, whose economic policies led to mass suffering and instability.

Malaolu noted that even after the return to democratic governance, the country’s political landscape remains marred by electoral malpractice, with politicians often coming to power through thuggery, ballot stuffing, and other forms of fraud. This, he argued, has resulted in a government that fails to serve the people's needs, with widespread poverty, unaffordable living costs, and inadequate infrastructure.

He called for a major shift in Nigeria's political structure, advocating for the replacement of the current presidential system with a more cost-effective parliamentary system. Malaolu further emphasized the importance of adopting a rational, Gesellschaft-style society—where people are organized based on practical considerations rather than personal or sectional interests. This, he argued, would be the foundation for true democratic governance.

He also criticized Nigeria's high recurrent expenditure, stating that a country that spends over 70% of its earnings on recurrent costs cannot sustain its growth. To address these issues, he urged citizens to present a "People’s Charter of Demand" that outlines essential changes in governance, focusing on sectors such as education, healthcare, transportation, and security.