Politics
PHIL Okonkwo, Managing Consultant, Lonvenza Specialist and Wellness Centre, Abuja, says Nigeria must build a transparent, accountable and corruption-free political system to achieve sustainable development and national wellbeing.
Okonkwo stated this on Friday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Leadership Conference.
He said Nigeria’s development challenges were largely rooted in weak institutions, poor governance and lack of accountability, stressing that a sanitised polity remained critical to national progress.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference, themed “A Sanitised Polity: Habitat for National Wellbeing and Development”, was organised by the Global Initiative for Leadership Success (GILS).
Okonkwo said Nigeria’s development challenges were fundamentally rooted in the quality of its governance environment.
He said a sanitised polity was a governance system free from corruption, institutional dysfunction, impunity, insecurity and inefficiency, noting that such an environment was essential for sustainable national progress.
According to him, development is driven not only by policies or resources, but also by the integrity, discipline and functionality of institutions through which those policies operate.
“A sanitised polity is the foundation upon which national wellbeing and sustainable development are achieved,” he said.
Okonkwo said leadership excellence should be assessed through measurable outcomes such as stronger institutions, adherence to the rule of law, transparency in governance and improved living conditions for citizens.
He added that Nigeria’s major challenge was not a shortage of ideas or capable individuals, but the failure to institutionalise excellence within the governance system.
“Recognition of leadership excellence must go beyond ceremony. It must define standards, establish benchmarks and promote accountability,” he said.
Referencing the leadership style of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Okonkwo outlined his administration as a model of principled governance anchored on rule of law, transparency and dialogue-driven conflict resolution.
He stressed that celebrating past leaders was insufficient without embedding their values into current governance structures.
“Recognition without replication is ineffective. Nigeria must move from episodic excellence to systemic excellence,” he said.
Okonkwo called for comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening institutions, improving public sector accountability, enhancing electoral integrity and ensuring leadership recruitment based on competence and character.
He also acknowledged ongoing reforms in some states, especially in digital governance, revenue administration and public service delivery, but stressed the need for consistency and nationwide implementation.
Earlier in his welcome address, President of GILS, Chief Sunnie Chukumele, said the conference marked the beginning of a renewed national conversation on governance, ethical leadership, institutional integrity and sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.
He said the conference theme was timely and compelling, noting that it underscored the urgent need to build a political and social environment rooted in accountability, justice, transparency, discipline, patriotism and responsible leadership.
“A sanitised polity is not simply about politics free from corruption; it is about creating a national culture where integrity becomes the standard, public service becomes a sacred trust, and governance becomes truly people-oriented,” he said.
According to him, no nation can achieve lasting peace, prosperity or meaningful development where institutions are weak, public trust is eroded and leadership is disconnected from the aspirations of the people.
“The health of any nation is directly tied to the health of its political environment. When governance is ethical, inclusive, transparent and visionary, citizens flourish, economies grow, innovation thrives and national unity deepens,” he said.
Chukumele said the conference was designed as a platform for intellectual engagement, policy reflection and constructive dialogue aimed at strengthening democratic values, inspiring responsible leadership and promoting national wellbeing.
He added that the enduring legacy of late President Yar’Adua continued to offer lessons in humility, rule of law, accountability, due process and national reconciliation.
According to him, contemporary challenges such as corruption, insecurity, economic instability, political polarisation, youth unemployment, social inequality and institutional decay require courageous leadership and collective responsibility.
He described the conference as a call to action for policymakers to prioritise national interest above personal ambition and for institutions to uphold justice and accountability without compromise. (NAN)
A.I
May 9, 2026
Tags: Chief Sunnie Chukumele Dr Phil Okonkwo