Politicians Cannot Think About Poor People – Osita Chidoka

Politicians Cannot Think About Poor People – Osita Chidoka

Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has criticized Nigeria’s political elites for being detached from the everyday struggles of the masses, claiming they fail to understand the realities of ordinary citizens.

He argued that this disconnect, coupled with persistent corruption, continues to hinder Nigeria’s progress, especially in terms of governance and economic development.

In a recent interview with Arise News, Chidoka highlighted the deepening crisis in Nigeria’s electoral processes, stating that the country’s challenges are likely to persist until the electoral system is overhauled to ensure that citizens can truly choose their leaders. He condemned the rigging of elections and the political class’s manipulation of the electoral process, which, according to him, denies the people their fundamental democratic rights.

Chidoka pointed out that the failure of elections in Nigeria results in a “leadership hijack,” where those who ascend to power are often disconnected from the needs of the people. He explained that until the Nigerian public can freely determine their leadership, the country will continue to face ineffective governance.

“The challenge with elections in Nigeria, particularly leadership recruitment, is the failure of the electoral process,” he remarked. “As long as the people cannot determine their leadership, we will have a leadership hijack. And this hijack is being carried out by individuals who pose a clear and present danger to the country.”

In a broader critique of Nigeria’s political system, Chidoka also spoke about what he termed the “elite secession” from the masses. He argued that the political class has effectively created a separate reality for themselves, far removed from the day-to-day struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians.

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“The elites have seceded from Nigeria,” he said. “Their children do not attend public schools. They don’t go to public hospitals. They live in gated communities in places like Maitama, Asokoro, Ikoyi, and Banana Island. They have no interaction with the common people, and as a result, they cannot think about the everyday needs of Nigerians.”

Chidoka further criticized the political elites for focusing on symbolic infrastructure projects, such as the commissioning of roads, bridges, and flyovers, rather than addressing the root issues affecting ordinary citizens. According to him, these projects often fail to solve the real problems Nigerians face, such as access to quality healthcare, education, and basic amenities.

Chidoka also expressed his frustration with Nigeria’s continued reliance on oil revenue, while neglecting other sectors that could drive economic growth. He used the example of the cocoa industry to illustrate how Nigeria has missed out on opportunities to capitalize on global economic trends.

Despite the significant rise in global cocoa prices, Chidoka lamented that Nigeria remains a primary exporter of raw cocoa, rather than processing it into value-added products such as cocoa butter and powder. He pointed out that while countries like Côte d’Ivoire have ramped up their processing capacity, Nigeria has failed to modernize its cocoa industry, which could have benefited from the current boom in cocoa prices.

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“In December 2024, the price of cocoa was $12,000 per tonne. Just two years ago, it was only $2,700. What is Nigeria doing to benefit from this cocoa boom?” he asked. “Why are we still exporting raw cocoa instead of processed cocoa products? Back in 1985, President Babangida envisioned the need for cocoa processing and even provided loans to Nigerian companies. But today, we are still exporting raw cocoa, and we lack the capacity to meet the demand that countries like Côte d’Ivoire are now fulfilling.”

Chidoka’s remarks highlight a fundamental issue in Nigeria’s governance: the widening gap between the ruling elite and the citizens they are meant to serve. The former Minister’s call for electoral reform, economic diversification, and greater accountability within the political class echoes the frustrations of many Nigerians who feel that their leaders are more focused on self-preservation than on the welfare of the masses.

As the country continues to grapple with political and economic challenges, Chidoka’s criticisms serve as a reminder of the need for genuine reform to address the nation’s long-standing issues of leadership and economic mismanagement.

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