TheCable

Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, says the absence of good governance is the greatest obstacle to Nigeria’s economic development.

Ezekwesili said this on Monday at the inaugural #FixPoliticsDialogues, a platform which convenes debates on national issues.

The event tagged ‘1999 Constitution: To change or amend?’ was organised by FixPolitics, a non-profit organisation chaired by the former minister.

In her address of welcome, Ezekwesili said a research conducted by the organisation shows that politics undermines several significant structures and institutions in Nigeria and Africa.

She said the major findings of the research show that the absence of good governance remains the greatest challenge to Nigeria’s economic development.

Ezekwesili said public good is often traded for private interests which has resulted in the failure of public leadership.

“The research found that on the continent, politics undermines citizens, families, community and society, governance, business and economy,” she said.

“The central thesis of #FixPolitics research shows that the absence of good governance is the greatest obstacle to Nigeria’s economic development.

“The failure of the public leadership on the continent subverts the development of the continent because public good is compromised for private interest.”

A poll conducted during the event showed that a majority of the participants — 73 percent with 182 votes — voted for changing the 1999 constitution as against 27 percent who voted for its amendment.