By Lucky Uto
Delta Central Senator, Ede Dafinone, has called for a decisive shift from rhetoric to actionable solutions in tackling Nigeria’s governance challenges, stressing that electoral victories must translate into real benefits for citizens.
Speaking at the 3rd Advocate Lecture Series organised by Advocate Publication Ltd in Ughelli, Delta State, Dafinone underscored the urgency of reform as the 2027 elections approach.
The lecture, themed “From Ballot to Patronage: Why Electoral Victory Fails to Deliver Good Governance in Nigeria,” brought together political and civic stakeholders to examine the gap between winning elections and delivering effective governance.
“I am always glad when conversations like this move beyond identifying problems to offering real solutions,” Dafinone said, noting that while criticism is common, practical steps toward fixing governance issues remain essential.
Addressing fears of a looming one-party state, the senator dismissed such concerns as part of Nigeria’s familiar political cycle.
According to him, defections to ruling parties have been a recurring trend since 1999, particularly during mid-term periods.
On the electoral process, Dafinone acknowledged improvements in transparency and voter awareness, especially during the 2023 general elections.
However, he warned that vote-buying persists, driven largely by a lack of public confidence in the value of individual votes.
He also defended recent economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, describing them as necessary but difficult decisions avoided by past administrations. He assured Nigerians that the long-term benefits would outweigh the current hardships.
In his keynote address, Dr. Charles Apoki delivered a critical assessment of Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that citizens have lost their sense of ownership in governance.
He blamed this on political ignorance, vote trading, and the absence of clear development agendas among many aspirants.
Apoki further highlighted the high cost of politics as a major obstacle to credible leadership, noting that many elected officials prioritize recouping campaign expenses over public service, thereby reinforcing the influence of political godfathers.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Publication Ltd, Shedrack Onitsha, said the lecture’s theme was inspired by the persistent disconnect between electoral success and governance outcomes.
He lamented that despite campaign promises, many administrations leave little tangible impact.
The event, held at Wetland Hotel, featured panel discussions and goodwill messages from dignitaries, including representatives of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, as participants collectively called for institutional reforms to ensure democracy delivers meaningful dividends to Nigerians.
