The recent budget presentation by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reignited the debate on Nigeria’s stagnation and the intersection between leadership failure and citizen complicity. In a moment captured on video, the governor stumbled repeatedly over the financial figures of the 2025 budget, admitting they were “confusing.” While this incident has been widely mocked on social media, it raises deeper questions about leadership competence and the culture that sustains mediocrity in governance.
Governor Okpebholo’s struggle may seem like a minor blunder, but in a country where the stakes are so high, every misstep matters. This incident is not just about one leader’s moment of unpreparedness—it reflects a broader pattern of governance failures that plague Nigeria. Yet, as we point fingers at our leaders, we must ask ourselves: how do we, as citizens, contribute to this dysfunction?
The Complicit Citizenry
It is convenient to blame politicians for Nigeria’s stagnation. However, the real story is incomplete without examining the role of the people in enabling bad leadership. Time and again, Nigerians rally behind incompetent and corrupt leaders, not for their track record or vision but because they share the same tribe, religion, or family ties.
Consider the case of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, who was convicted in the United Kingdom for laundering public funds. Upon his release, he returned to a hero’s welcome in Delta State. Crowds celebrated him, conveniently forgetting the billions meant for their development that were siphoned away under his watch.
In Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was caught on video allegedly accepting bribes in dollars. Instead of outrage, many defended him, attributing the scandal to political witch-hunting. Such defenses are not isolated incidents but recurring patterns in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The Price of Hypocrisy
This culture of selective outrage ensures that corruption thrives unchecked. Nigerians are quick to condemn politicians from opposing tribes or parties but remain silent when “their own” is implicated. This hypocrisy fuels the cycle of mediocrity and corruption, leaving the country perpetually stuck.
Governor Okpebholo’s recent budget presentation is a metaphor for the state of governance in Nigeria—disjointed, uncoordinated, and lacking in substance. The figures he struggled to articulate represent the resources meant to uplift millions of Edo citizens. Yet, rather than hold him accountable, many will likely dismiss the incident or defend it based on political or ethnic affiliations.
The Toll on Nigeria
The consequences of this complicity are visible everywhere:
+ Over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty despite decades of oil wealth.
+ Public schools and healthcare systems are in shambles, with leaders opting for private institutions or foreign solutions.
+ Infrastructure projects remain incomplete or poorly executed, draining public funds while delivering minimal value.
In the 2023 elections, allegations of vote-buying and voter intimidation were rampant. These acts were not carried out in isolation but required the active participation of ordinary citizens willing to sell their votes for immediate gratification.
A Call for Change
If Nigeria is to move forward, both leaders and citizens must change. Leaders like Governor Okpebholo must rise to the occasion and demonstrate competence, transparency, and accountability. Meanwhile, citizens must reject tribalism and demand excellence from those who seek public office.
It’s time Nigerians stopped celebrating mediocrity and shielding corrupt leaders. Bad governance thrives not because of politicians alone but because the people allow it. If we want change, it must start with us. Let Governor Okpebholo’s budget blunder serve as a wake-up call—not just for him but for all Nigerians. The question is: will we rise to the occasion, or will we continue to enable the dysfunction that holds us back?
