Otiti Blasts State Governors: Stop Undermining Democracy with Handpicked Council Chairmen

By Our Reporter

In a bold call for democratic integrity, public affairs analyst Otiti has condemned the persistent practice by Nigerian state governors of appointing local government chairmen rather than allowing the people to elect their leaders. He described this trend as a direct assault on democracy and a calculated attempt to weaken grassroots governance across the nation.

Otiti stressed that the essence of democracy lies in the ability of citizens to freely choose their leaders through credible elections. According to him, the continuous imposition of council chairmen by state governors not only disregards the will of the people but also erodes public confidence in the political system. “Leadership should emerge from the ballot, not the backroom,” he asserted.

He further decried how this system has produced a crop of mediocre leaders at the local government level, individuals loyal only to the governors that appointed them. Otiti lamented that instead of identifying true patriots and visionaries to lead local councils, governors have consistently installed cronies and loyalists who prioritize personal interests over public service.

“Governors must stop sacrificing competence and integrity on the altar of personal loyalty,” Otiti declared. He warned that if this undemocratic culture persists, it will continue to weaken institutions at the grassroots and hinder meaningful development at the community level, where government policies directly affect the everyday lives of Nigerians.

Otiti urged the citizens to rise and demand their democratic rights, emphasizing the need for transparent, free, and fair local government elections. He encouraged political parties, civil society organizations, and youth groups to mount pressure on state governments to respect the constitutional provision for elected local council officials.

In his final remarks, Otiti called on the federal government, the National Assembly, and electoral bodies to intervene and ensure that the principles of democracy are upheld at all levels of governance. “Nigeria cannot afford to build its democratic future on the fragile foundation of imposed leadership. The people must choose their leaders,” he concluded.