Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili has urged Nigerians to look beyond the 2027 presidential election and confront what she described as deeper failures in the country’s political and governance system.
Ezekwesili said elections alone would not solve structural problems that had weakened economic and social development.
She called for a national conversation on shared values, a common vision and a political framework capable of producing stronger institutions.
According to her, Nigerians should reject the belief that the country’s present difficulties are unavoidable.
She argued that many of the problems were the result of political choices and systems that could be changed.
Ezekwesili said Nigeria lacked a strong social contract and sufficient national cohesion, leaving ethnic and religious divisions to dominate public life.
She called for a constitutional arrangement built on greater national consensus.
The former minister said patriotism should not be confused with unquestioning support for existing political structures and argued that criticism of poor governance could be an expression of commitment to the country.
On the 2027 election, she reaffirmed support for Peter Obi, saying her position remained based on her assessment of character, competence and capacity.
She acknowledged the advantages enjoyed by incumbents but said voters could still create a political turning point if dissatisfaction became strong enough.
Ezekwesili also warned that economic hardship could push citizens toward short term choices rather than long term national interests.
She called for a broader civic movement willing to demand structural reform, constitutional change and stronger governance regardless of the outcome of the next election.
