In an interview with Laolu Akande on Channels TV’s Inside Sources, veteran journalist and former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, Amb. Yemi Farounbi, expressed his deep disappointment with the current state of Nigeria. He blamed much of the nation’s socio-economic challenges on the actions of retired military leaders, specifically former heads of state such as Ibrahim Babangida, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Abdulsalami Abubakar. According to Farounbi, these leaders contributed significantly to Nigeria’s present difficulties, both during and after their tenure in office.
Reflecting on his shared vision with the late Chief Bola Ige, former Governor of Oyo State and Attorney-General of the Federation, Farounbi lamented the unfulfilled dreams they had for the country. “It’s sad. We had a lot of hopes for Nigeria. We envisioned a country that would be the greatest on the African continent, both politically and economically,” he said. Their dream included a nation where citizens would have access to affordable education, gainful employment, and free healthcare services. “We believed in a Nigeria where accessing essential health services and medications would not be a challenge. Our vision was to halt rural-to-urban migration by ensuring every community had reliable electricity, quality education, and adequate health facilities,” Farounbi explained.
Despite this ambitious vision, Farounbi expressed frustration that these aspirations remain unachieved. “Unfortunately, it’s still our dream,” he said. He described the worsening socio-economic conditions that have forced many Nigerians to leave their rural homes for urban centers in search of better opportunities. “We thought of a concept where every community could operate at its full potential, ensuring that amenities in Lagos or Abuja would be equally available in smaller towns. There should be no need for people to leave their homes in search of a better life,” he added.
When asked about the factors that led to the failure of this vision, Farounbi pointed to the 16 years of military rule between 1983 and 1999, which, according to him, altered the fabric of Nigerian society and politics. He argued that military leaders during this period, particularly between 1993 and 1999, were responsible for changing the political landscape, transforming the nation’s political system into a monetized enterprise. “The military altered the approach to politics. It turned politics from being a system where leaders represented the people to one where only those with the largest war chests or bank accounts could thrive,” Farounbi stated.
He also lamented the ideological vacuum that has persisted since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. “Since the return of democracy, there hasn’t been a single political party rooted in any meaningful ideology. The parties we have today, like the PDP and APC, were born out of a desire to either overthrow or replace existing power structures, not to advance a coherent vision for a better Nigeria,” he argued. Farounbi pointed out that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was primarily united by the goal of ending military rule, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed out of frustration with the PDP’s governance, rather than a shared ideological foundation.
Farounbi did not hold back in his criticism of former military leaders Babangida, Obasanjo, and Abubakar, whom he accused of undermining the development of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. “In various degrees, they are to blame. They interfered with the decision-making system, reducing the legislature to nothingness. In a military regime, the legislative and executive powers are combined in the military ruler. For 28 years, Nigeria had no real experience in legislative management,” he said.
This military legacy, Farounbi argued, is evident in the often dysfunctional nature of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, where lawmakers are seen to act more as loyal subjects to the President or Governor than as independent bodies meant to check and balance the executive. “The National Assembly or state House of Assembly sees the President or Governor as a Kabiyesi [a traditional ruler] that cannot be contradicted,” he observed.
Addressing the current political landscape, Farounbi remarked that President Bola Tinubu’s administration, while labeled as “progressive,” lacks the dynamism that true progressivism entails. “Progressiveness is not static; it evolves with the changing needs of society. While the Progressive Movement produced President [Muhammadu] Buhari and President Tinubu, there’s no guarantee of progress just because they’re in power,” he said.
Farounbi emphasized that the North-South West alliance, which has historically shaped Nigeria’s politics, provides a measure of stability but not necessarily progress. He called for a return to a political system where the legislature operates independently, providing the necessary checks and balances that are crucial for good governance.
He also stressed the importance of moving beyond the mere stability offered by current political alliances, insisting that true progress can only be achieved when leaders and institutions are genuinely committed to the welfare of the people. “The country cannot continue to operate under a system where the National Assembly is subservient to the executive. We need a strong, independent legislature to restore accountability in governance,” Farounbi declared.
