Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ndutimi Alaibe, has blamed Nigeria’s recurring challenges on weak institutions. He said this was the root cause rather than a failure to understand the country’s problems.
According to Vanguard, Alaibe spoke on Friday in Port Harcourt during the 28th Prof. Wole Soyinka Lecture Series. The event was held alongside the National Association of Seadogs’ Martyrs’ Day.
Themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civil Courage,” the event examined the responsibilities of citizens, institutions and political leaders. It discussed how these groups play a part in strengthening democracy.
Alaibe said Nigeria had repeatedly identified the causes of its major political, economic and social problems. However, the country had failed to build institutions strong enough to enforce accountability and protect citizens equally.
He argued that institutions created to hold public officials accountable had often been deliberately weakened. As a result, this had made justice appear like a privilege available to a few rather than a right guaranteed to every Nigerian.
Nigeria’s weak institutions undermine justice
Alaibe said Nigeria’s weak institutions allowed individuals in positions of authority to exercise power without facing consistent scrutiny.
He maintained that accountability depended not only on the existence of laws. It also depended on citizens and institutions having the courage to enforce them without favouritism.
For the former NDDC chief, laws must apply equally to political leaders, wealthy individuals and ordinary citizens. Otherwise, democracy cannot remain meaningful.
He explained that strong institutions should operate independently of personal interests, ethnic affiliations and political loyalties.
Alaibe also identified civil courage as an essential part of national renewal. He described it as the willingness of citizens and institutions to defend what is right, even when doing so carries personal consequences.
According to him, Nigeria had experienced important historical moments when courage was required. However, citizens and institutions had not always responded strongly enough.
He said reclaiming the country would require people to consistently practise the values they publicly defend.
Tribalism described as systemic threat
Alaibe also warned that tribalism remained one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development and national unity.
He said ethnic prejudice had moved beyond individual behaviour. It had developed into a systemic condition affecting political appointments, public institutions and social relationships.
“Tribalism has become less an individual prejudice than a systemic condition, coursing through our national bloodstream and eating away at the very fabric of our society,” he said.
Alaibe said the National Association of Seadogs was founded to resist colonialism, clannishness, ethnic chauvinism, partisanship and other divisive tendencies.
He added that the organisation promoted nationalism, honesty, selflessness and respect for humanity from its inception.
However, he expressed concern that these values were gradually being eroded in the wider society.
Alaibe also said members of organisations established around such principles must continually assess their conduct. Above all, they must avoid falling short of the standards they promote.
Citizens urged to practise professed values
Alaibe, who served as chairman of the occasion, said the process of reclaiming Nigeria must begin with citizens reclaiming themselves.
He urged Nigerians to apply the same moral standards to everyone, regardless of group, political affiliation or social status.
According to him, citizens weaken accountability when they defend wrongdoing committed by people from their ethnic group or political party. Meanwhile, they condemn similar conduct by others.
He said national transformation would remain difficult until Nigerians placed justice and integrity above personal loyalty and convenience.
Alaibe maintained that change would not necessarily come through one dramatic political event.
Instead, he said the country would improve through “the steady accumulation of principled choices” made by citizens, leaders and institutions.
Such choices, he explained, would gradually strengthen public trust. In addition, they would create a society where laws carry greater authority than influential individuals.
Accountability necessary for development
Reflecting on his experience in public service and regional development, Alaibe said sustainable development could not flourish without accountability.
He recalled his involvement in institutional reforms and development programmes within the Niger Delta. He said the experience showed that resources alone could not guarantee progress.
“Where institutions are weak, hope gives way to cynicism; where accountability is upheld, even limited resources can produce lasting impact,” he said.
Alaibe explained that weak institutions often allow public resources to be mismanaged while citizens lose confidence in government programmes.
Strong oversight, transparent processes and responsible leadership, he said, could help limited resources deliver meaningful results.
He added that nations were not transformed through speeches and promises alone.
Real progress occurs when conscience defeats convenience. It also happens when institutions become more powerful than individuals and citizens choose what is right despite the difficulty involved, he said.
Alaibe honours democracy heroes
Alaibe also paid tribute to Nigerians who made sacrifices in the struggle for democracy, justice and accountable government.
He mentioned investigative journalist Dele Giwa, whose work challenged military authoritarianism before his death in 1986.
He also honoured environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine. Their execution attracted global attention to environmental injustice and human rights abuses in the Niger Delta.
Other figures recognised included Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and Bola Ige.
Alaibe said their sacrifices demonstrated that Nigeria’s democracy did not emerge automatically or without a heavy price.
He said many Nigerians endured intimidation, persecution and personal loss while defending freedom and justice.
Their experiences, he added, should remind present-day citizens that democracy must be protected through constant vigilance and courageous participation.
Alaibe concluded that Nigeria already possessed sufficient knowledge about the causes of its difficulties.
The country’s urgent task, he said, was to strengthen democratic institutions. Furthermore, it should confront tribalism and ensure that accountability applies equally to everyone.
