Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the recently concluded elections in Nigeria, labeling them a painful “show of shame.

” Speaking at a public lecture series in Abuja, he called on Nigerians to take action to prevent such a situation from repeating itself, emphasizing the need for well-meaning and committed patriots to rescue the nation from the precipice. He also expressed his concern about the current state of division and corrosion in the country, suggesting the need for a national reconciliation and value orientation to build a collective sense of enduring and local values and national belonging.

Obasanjo further criticized the government’s growing debt profile and spending spree, likening it to “spending like a drunken sailor,” and called for political will and concerted effort from stakeholders to drive reforms and transform the public service into a capability-ready institution that could enable Nigeria’s development agenda beyond 2023.

He states that politicians make promises during election campaigns every four years, but often fail to deliver because the public service, including civil servants and political appointees, lack the ability to fulfill these promises.

The lack of capacity in the public service means that even with political will, promises cannot be fulfilled without the necessary institutional reforms.

Tunji Olaopa, a leading scholar and author on public service reforms, is participating in efforts to identify a pathway for reforming Nigeria’s public service.

The President’s role is limited, and even if he makes directives, it is the civil service that must execute them. Therefore, institutional capacity is crucial in delivering on promises and programs, and political will is not enough to ensure their success.