Politics
Integrity: Missing Virtue In Politics
Integrity can be described
as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that one believes in, stands for and would not compromise on.
Integrity goes with self-discipline. It invokes the protection of what is believed in and stood for.
Integrity awakens the sense that a name is to be protected. One who uses integrity as their watch word like Joseph who escaped from Potiphar’s wife, escapes from evil in order not to stain their name.
Men and women of integrity are law abiding. Their actions and inactions are controlled by the rules of the game. They are honest, crime free, and less self-willed.
On a wider note, a leader with integrity is one who eschews evil and always protects the honest and moral principles he stands for. He executes the law and therefore he is not the law breaker.
Furthermore, sworn to an oath, as it were, to protect the constitution and the sovereignty of the country, he believes and stands by constitutionalism and the rule of law in a democratic society.
In Nigeria, political leaders range from chairmen and counselors of local government areas, to Governors, Deputy Governors, members of Houses of Assembly. Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries at the state level, the President, Vice President, Ministers, Senate President, Speaker, Senators and House of Representatives members, just to mention a few.
It is expected that leaders exhibit or display integrity at various areas and positions of authority. Those who claim to fight corruption should be corruption free, not biased and sectional.
They should have a name they are out to protect for posterity and also not have personal interests which outgrow the interest of the country.
In the same vein, those who speak against bad governance must ensure that they do not speak out of hypocrisy but are exemplary with integrity. A man cannot call another a thief if he is also a thief.
It is on record, that the late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehimi, and the late famous human rights activist, Ken Saro Wiwa, vehemently refused appointments from the then illegitimate administration, bound by what they stood for.
Today, the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are embarking on a change system which has clearly shown another hypocritical government with leaders without integrity.
A critical look at some of the appointments, those accepting some of the appointments, those singing praises as well as religious leaders associating with the system shows that the system is bereft of integrity.
It is quite unfortunate that the President has continued to give a deaf ear and a blind eye to the clamour and pointing of fingers at some of his ministers and cabinet members accused of corruption. There is need for the executive to completely purge itself of all vestiges and appearances of malfeasance so it can authoritatively occupy the moral high ground in good conscience to deal with official corruption wherever and in whatever quasters it is found.
Only recently, the judiciary, through the National Judicial Council, NJC, did some cleansing of their ranks with the announcement of the sacking of three judges.
Rising from its 78th meeting on Thursday, September 29, 2016, the NJC, in a release signed by its Acting Director of Information, Soji Oye made public the decision of the council to compulsorily retire Justice Ladan Tsamiya, the Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division; Justice I. A. Umezulike, the Chief Judge of Enugu State while Justice Kabiru Auta of the Federal High Court in Kano State was dismissed from service with effect from Friday, September 30, 2016.
In fact, the release indicated that Justice Auta was to be handed over to the police for prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NJC, and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed has said that the house cleansing would continue as the searchlight is already being beamed on some other priests in the temple of justice.
This is highly commendable and what is expected. The story however is yet to be replicated in the other two arms of government.
The National Assembly in particular has continued to shield its officers accused of various kinds of misadventure and infraction of the constitution of the federal republic. It is not news that the leadership of the 8th Senate is standing criminal trial while still firmly occupying the exalted seat.
The House of Representatives is currently embroiled in a scandal of desecrating the 2016 national budget with the former House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin shouting himself hoarse that other thieves like him in the House should be brought to justice and punished as well.
Of course, Hon. Jibrin has been isolated and punished for his indiscretion and attempts to bring to the public view the security guarded secrets of the hallowed green chambers and its “honourable” deeds. As long as the leadership of our country remains in the hands of men and women of questionable character in the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislature, the change that will turn our fortunes for the better will remain a mirage.
The fact that most Nigerians and the political dealers scavenging for Nigeria’s carcasses share the fundamental belief that they do not have a stake in the country serves as an emotional coat that allows them to cash the commonwealth without let or hindrance
If the government of President Buhari is sincere about savings for investment in the critical sectors of the economy that would generate jobs, his government must not remain silent in the face of growing outcry against the obscene salaries and allowances that public officials in Nigeria take home.
Less than 18,000 Nigerian public officials take more than 1.2 trillion naira a year in salaries and allowances. A Nigerian senator, for instance, takes more than 1 million US dollars a year. Considering the minimum wage of N 18,000 a month, which some states are yet to start paying, a reduction of 700 billion naira from the current annual wage bill of 1.2 trillion naira for the about 17, 474 public officials (including judges), should leave them with enough to live on.
If a Nigerian worker is expected to live on N 216,000 a year, a senator should be grateful to have N 83 million a year, which is 42 percent of the current N 198 million that a senator takes home every year.
In his book entitled “Enforcement of Morals”, P. Devlin explains the importance of morality to the survival of any society. He states that one of the essential elements of a society is a shared morality. If a society’s shared morality is weakened, this has a tendency to lead to the destruction of the society itself.
Nigerian politics and politicians, since the end of the 1st Republic have degenerated rapidly towards the bottom of the pit of disrepute.
Every passing generation of politicians is succeeded by a more primitive and barbaric set. The 2nd Republic politicians were terrible. The 3rd Republic politicians beat their predecessors at bad governance.
The present 4th Republic politicians are the most terrible so far. One common thread runs through the attitude, beliefs and actions of the recent politicians: greed, avarice, self-service and accumulation of wealth at the expense of the country.
There is a total lack of patriotism, or a spirit of public or national service. They are in politics to make quick fortune. In other words, the post 1st Republic politics is carnal, banal,
mundane and pedestrian.
The saddest part of it all is that the younger the politician, the greedier, more corrupt, and rabidly anti-social he is.
With each successive generation of politicians and public servants, we seem to have become afflicted with a more perverted class of humanity whose only inclination is to loot our wealth and resources, oppress us, and reduce our country and society to devastated and chaotic conditions.
Ms Williams writes from Port Harcourt.
Tammy Williams
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.