The political philosophies promoted by Late Prof. Claude Ake have been listed as the best panacea for African and Nigeria’s emerging democracies

This was the view of stakeholders at the end of a one-day memorial lecture of Prof. Ake organised by the Rivers State Government over the weekend.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi stressed that Prof. through his intellectual activism promoted wealth distribution and democratic principles.

He noted that it was on these principles that the present administration in the state was charting a new course in infrastructural and human development.

Chairman of the Lecture Organising Committee and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Hon. Charles Levi-Gogo declared that late Prof.

Ake charted a new course for Africa’s political struggles.

He noted that the lectures came at a time when the continent and country was experiencing democratic changes, pointing out, the need for a shift in the political and social orientation had become necessary as the elections draw near.

How Levi-Gogo said that  the only way to immortalise the late Prof. Ake’s vision for Africa’s rebirth was to democratise institutions and ensure a free and fair elections in April.

Former associate and Professor of Political Science in the Lagos State University Prof. Adede Jinadu remarked that one of Prof. Ake’s major philosophy was on the need to use politics for society’s development.

Prof. Jinadu while frowning at the way politicians are using their positions for self aggrandisement, noted that late Prof. Ake fought for the oppressed in society through his academic works.

In the view of former secretary to the Justice Oputa led Panel on Human Rights Violations, Monsignor Matthew Kukah the Late Professor of Political Economy, promoted the need for society to hold their leaders accountable.

Rev. Kukah however lamented that though much of Ake’s views were swept under the carpet by corrupt leaders., Nigeria had continued to pay the price through inept policies, political instability and lack of development.

The Catholic priest submitted that one way to transform the country was to combine some of the political thoughts of Ake, get purposeful leadership and a total overhaul of the value system.

Associate Professor of Law in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and a discussant at the lecture, Dr Enyinna Nwauche asserted that there was no way the economy could be separated from politics.

He argued that one of Ake’s struggle was to see a strong economy driven by purposeful leadership in the public private sectors.

Dr Nwauche called for industrial revival, long term planning while emphasising the need for politicians to be transparent in order to institutionalise accountability in the polity.