Political Rivalry Stifles Progress in Nigeria

Nigeria’s political landscape is often defined by a self-destructive rivalry that prioritizes partisan victory over national development. This “politics of destruction,” as termed by veteran broadcaster and former diplomat Dr. Yemi Farounbi, sees seasoned politicians boast about their hostility to past administrations, not because of failed policies, but because of a desire to see the “other side” lose. This zero-sum game has left Nigerians paying the price in crumbling infrastructure and stalled reforms.

The treachery wrapped in a party flag manifests in tangible ways. Projects critical to national well-being are abandoned simply because a rival party initiated them. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a vital artery connecting the nation’s economic hub to the rest of the country, is a prime example. Despite its immense importance, the road suffered from decades of neglect and political indifference. Its reconstruction, which began in 2013 under one administration, was often stalled by political headwinds, leading to perpetual traffic, accidents, and a general reflection of the nation’s infrastructural decay.

Similarly, the reform of Nigeria’s power sector—a cornerstone for industrial and economic growth—has long been hampered by a lack of political will. The article points to how vital security and financial reforms are shelved because an election is looming. A recent development highlights this persistent problem, with state governments accusing the federal government of attempting to centralize powers already devolved under the 2023 Electricity Act. This ongoing power struggle over regulatory authority threatens to derail the decentralization gains and stall the sector’s progress.

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This political sabotage, whether it’s the abandonment of a key road project or the stalling of power sector reforms, is akin to playing Russian roulette with the lives of 200 million people. The casualties are not the politicians, but the ordinary Nigerians who suffer through gridlock, power outages, and a lack of basic services. A road does not care who commissioned it; a working refinery does not care which party cut the ribbon. Good policies should be above petty rivalries, and allegiance should be to the nation, not to a political party or a “godfather’s whisper.”

As Farounbi poignantly notes, history will not remember those who play these games as clever, but as reckless individuals who traded a nation’s progress for the thrill of a political point. It is a sobering reminder that for Nigeria to move forward, the destructive cycle of political vendetta must end, replaced by a genuine commitment to the collective good.