A politician and former presidential candidate of the defunct African Renaissance Party, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s current condition, describing the country as a “failed state” that is currently “in a mess in all ramifications.”
In a statement issued on Friday in Enugu, Ndu criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress and major opposition parties, accusing them of prioritising preparations for the 2027 elections instead of focusing on governance at a time when the country is grappling with worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
Ndu, who pioneered Nigeria’s first presidential debate in Enugu in 1992, challenged President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to what he described as a “thorough debate” centred on practical solutions to Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
The president of the Peoples Movement for a New Nigeria argued that political conversations in the country have become overwhelmingly focused on electoral calculations rather than addressing issues affecting citizens.
He said, “I have been watching the Nigerian political terrain and politicians closely since 1992, and my opinion is that over 90 per cent of our politicians do not care about good governance. All they are interested in is how to win elections.
“So far, all the so-called conventions of opposition political parties in Nigeria are about how to win elections and how to defeat President Tinubu and the APC. The APC convention itself was what anyone would expect when you ask an average student to mark his or her own examination papers.”
He also criticised the current public discourse, describing as “shameful” the dominance of social media debates over whether Tinubu’s second term is already guaranteed, while the country continues to struggle with what he called severe and multidimensional national challenges.
As part of his proposal, Ndu called for a structured national conversation to be held under the banner of the “Ernest Ikoli Memorial Presidential Debate,” named after the late Ijaw-born journalist and nationalist Ernest Ikoli, whom he said Nigeria has failed to adequately honour.
The former presidential candidate extended the challenge beyond Tinubu, Atiku and Obi to include former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
According to him, “What is needed now is a robust debate among all political parties and presidential aspirants on practical solutions to the challenges confronting Nigeria, beginning with insecurity.”
He warned that Nigeria’s collapse would have wider implications for the African continent, stressing that the country remains central to the survival and progress of the black race.
“Right now, our country is almost a failed state, which must never be allowed to happen because if Nigeria fails, Africa is finished,” the statement concluded.
Ndu also called on professional bodies and socio-cultural organisations to take the lead in organising the proposed national debate.
He specifically urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, the Arewa Consultative Forum, and PANDEF to jointly facilitate the dialogue.
What You Should Know
Yahaya Ndu’s call reflects growing concerns over Nigeria’s political direction as attention shifts toward the 2027 elections.
By challenging key political figures to a public debate, he is pushing for issue-based politics focused on governance, insecurity, and economic recovery rather than campaign strategy. His proposal for the Ernest Ikoli Memorial Presidential Debate seeks to create a platform for accountability and practical policy discussions.
The statement also highlights increasing public frustration over what many perceive as political distraction from urgent national challenges affecting millions of Nigerians across sectors.
