Former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, said that some Nigerian political leaders lack realistic plan and solutions to challenges facing the country.
In a post on his official X account, @kfayemi said most of the leaders lack how to implement their policies and engage the civil service.
He said: “When running for office, contestants often claim to know better than those in power, presenting grand visions and promises of swift change if elected. Rarely are these claims scrutinised or challenged.
“However, winning the election marks the start of a different reality. Governing or legislating means tackling real problems for real people who expect solutions daily.
“Campaign poetry gives way to the hard, unseen work of governance, where good intentions are not enough—people demand immediate results.
“There are many assumptions about what happens in states and local governments. While those in government, whether in the executive or legislature, may appear omniscient from the outside, they often feel stretched to their limits by the weight of expectations and the complexity of meeting them.
“This challenge formed the crux of my keynote address on Strengthening Democratic Governance at Subnational Level during the retreat for Southwest Speakers and Principal Officers of State Houses of Assembly in Ikogosi-Ekiti.
“In my address, I discussed several themes critical to effective governance: preparation for public office; funding the vision and mission of the agenda; taking governance and legislature beyond partisanship; implementing tough decisions early; the imperative of public communication; the continuum of state-building and incremental change; and leading with legacy in mind, emphasising the importance of success and succession.
“I stressed that legislative institutions are the backbone of our democracy, and their work in lawmaking and oversight is central to advancing the welfare of the people.
“Drawing on my experiences as a former governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, I shared insights to help assembly leaders reflect on their roles, share innovative approaches, and explore practical solutions to pressing challenges.
“For instance, while public bureaucracy should, in theory, enable political leaders to deliver expected outcomes for citizens, it can often become a cog in the wheel of progress. Wherever a government succeeds in significantly impacting citizens’ lives, the success is often not only due to the quality of its political leadership but also to the effectiveness of legislative decisions and the dedication of bureaucrats implementing those policies.
“As I have maintained at various fora, even when we bring government closer to the people in the context of federalism, challenges at the center often replicate at subnational levels. To respond effectively, leaders must have a realistic plan based on wide consultations but remain flexible.
“Strategically mobilise resources to fund promises made to the electorate. Prioritise the “how” of implementation and engage the civil service as a vital organ of execution.
“Own their communication and engage with the electorate regularly in all forms. Embrace gradual improvement, recognising that change is often incremental, not revolutionary.
“Ensure sustainability through seamless succession, as governance is a continuum. Continuity of tangible progress requires safeguarding against reversals.”
Fayemi commended Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye and the Conference of Southwest Speakers for their leadership in organising this retreat.
He said such initiatives highlight the necessity of governance and legislative reforms, as well as the regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges, ensuring that governance at the subnational level is robust and responsive.