Nigeria’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has criticised the state of opposition politics, warning it has become “a democracy of negativity” opposing government policies regardless of merit.
Speaking to Arise News on Wednesday, Akinyemi said political discourse is now driven more by partisan rivalry than national vision, highlighting former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai as emblematic of confrontational opposition rhetoric.
“These days, you fight the government of today. We don’t even know why,” he said, adding that reflex opposition has replaced constructive engagement in Nigeria’s democracy.
Akinyemi described governance and national security management as lacking seriousness.
He cited a case where a person accused of bugging a National Security Adviser received administrative bail, contrasting it with stricter practices abroad.
“Under the military, that would not have happened,” he clarified, emphasising he is not advocating a return to military rule but noting the previous focus and cohesion in governance.
He recalled that security challenges such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and widespread kidnappings were absent during his tenure, stressing that today’s environment demands stronger governance structures.
Highlighting the importance of a sustained national vision, Akinyemi said only former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 1999 administration demonstrated consistent long-term planning after the return to civilian rule.
He warned that Nigeria’s constitutional two-term limit often results in successive governments reversing predecessors’ policies, undermining continuity and national progress.
Questioning Western-style democracy, Akinyemi suggested Nigeria may need to reassess its political framework, pointing to China’s development model and contemporary challenges in the United States as cautionary examples.
He called for a return to foundational debates on Nigeria’s political structure, citing his role as deputy chairman of the National Conference as a step toward meaningful reform.
Akinyemi urged the country to prioritise a national vision over combative political rivalry, stressing that Nigeria must develop a roadmap for progress beyond partisan conflicts.
