Athan Achonu, a former Labour Party governorship candidate in Imo State, has revealed that state governors wield considerable influence over the selection of representatives to the Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly. He attributes this power to governors’ control of local governments. In an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, Achonu stressed that true democracy in Nigeria can only be achieved when governors relinquish that control.
Achonu argued that the current system has eroded public confidence in institutions, with both the judiciary and the legislature facing criticism. He pointed to existing structures meant to safeguard national interests and provide checks on governance, such as the National Assembly’s oversight of ministries and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), which is tasked with ensuring transparency in contract awards. However, he noted that these mechanisms are often undermined by the concentration of power in the hands of governors and other high‑ranking officials.
Drawing a comparison with the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Achonu observed that governors were then more accountable to the people. He contended that today’s arrangement—where governors dominate local governments—has led to a lack of genuine campaigning and accountability. The implications of his statements are significant: if governors control the selection of legislators at both national and state levels, citizens’ interests risk being sidelined and corruption may increase.
As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, the need for reform and greater accountability becomes increasingly urgent. Achonu’s comments underscore the importance of addressing governance and representation issues and ensuring that power remains answerable to the people. By doing so, Nigeria can move toward a more transparent and democratic system in which citizens’ voices are truly heard.
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