A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Engr. (Dr) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley (YMK), has called for stronger accountability and punitive measures against public officials who misuse public resources, saying such measures are necessary to restore citizens’ confidence in the Nigerian state and rebuild patriotism.

Kingsley, who is awaiting the November 2 judgment of the Federal High Court in a dispute over the PRP presidential primary, is challenging the declaration of Donald Duke as the winner of the May 25 primary by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He made the call in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja, titled, “Rebuilding Patriotism by Restoring Faith in the Nigerian System.”

Kingsley said rebuilding patriotism must begin with restoring integrity, accountability and public trust in governance, arguing that citizens would be more likely to identify with the national project when public officials demonstrate transparency, fiscal discipline and respect for the rule of law.
“The foundation of national trust must start at the top.

“When public officials demonstrate accountability, transparency, fiscal discipline and respect for the rule of law, citizens are far more likely to believe in the national project.

“Laws must apply to everyone, regardless of status, wealth, ethnicity, religion or political connections. Corruption must be confronted seriously, and citizens must see that there are consequences for the misuse of public resources,” he said.

The PRP aspirant said Nigerians had for too long been accused of lacking patriotism, when, in his view, declining civic confidence was also linked to the failure of institutions to provide security, fairness, opportunity and quality public services.

“The truth, however, is more complex. Perhaps, Nigerians have not stopped loving Nigeria; rather, many have become discouraged by the reality of living in a country where the relationship between citizens and the state has too often felt one-sided.

“People naturally find it difficult to remain deeply connected to a system that does not consistently make them feel safe, protected, heard, valued or given a fair opportunity to succeed,” he said.

According to him, insecurity, inequality, unemployment, poor public services and declining confidence in public institutions have weakened citizens’ sense of belonging, making appeals for patriotism less convincing when they are not matched by responsible governance.

“Patriotism cannot be sustained by slogans, decrees or repeated appeals alone. It grows where citizens see a corresponding commitment from those entrusted with the responsibility of governing them,” he said.

Kingsley, however, rejected the notion that Nigerians are inherently unpatriotic, pointing to the achievements of citizens in Afrobeats, Nollywood, literature, fashion, science, business, sports and other fields as evidence of a continuing attachment to the country.

He also noted that Nigerians frequently unite across ethnic, religious and political lines when the country’s athletes compete internationally, while communities often organise themselves to provide security, maintain infrastructure and support vulnerable residents where government services are inadequate.

“These realities demonstrate that the problem is not the total absence of patriotism,” he said.
According to him, what has been weakened is citizens’ confidence in the institutions responsible for governing the country.

“When public institutions fail to reward hard work, protect merit, guarantee fairness and provide equal opportunities, the spirit of national service is weakened.

“When citizens repeatedly encounter corruption, insecurity, poor services, unemployment, broken infrastructure and policy uncertainty, many gradually become disenchanted with the system,” he said.

Kingsley warned that the normalisation of favouritism, bribery, abuse of office and misuse of public resources could undermine respect for the law, particularly when citizens perceive that politically connected individuals are not held to the same standards as ordinary Nigerians.

He also linked economic hardship to declining civic commitment, arguing that citizens struggling to provide basic necessities were unlikely to respond positively to calls for national sacrifice unless they saw similar sacrifices from those in positions of authority.

“Citizens are more willing to make sacrifices for their country when they believe that those entrusted with leadership are also making sacrifices, obeying the law and being held to the same standards,” he said.

He therefore urged governments at all levels to improve the delivery of essential services, including electricity, infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, clean water and other public services.

“Reliable electricity, improved infrastructure, quality education, accessible healthcare, security, clean water and efficient public services are not merely development objectives; they are part of rebuilding the social contract between the Nigerian state and the Nigerian people,” he said.

The presidential hopeful said patriotism should also be understood beyond waving the national flag, singing the national anthem or reciting national slogans.

He said genuine patriotism included respecting legitimate laws, paying lawful taxes, protecting public property, keeping communities clean, participating responsibly in elections and holding leaders accountable.

Kingsley consequently called for stronger civic education in schools, saying it should move beyond memorisation of national symbols to developing responsible and active citizens.

He also commended Nigerians and business leaders who have continued to invest, create jobs, develop industries and build enterprises despite the difficult operating environment.

“The YMK Nigeria Project rejects the idea that the country belongs to a privileged few.
“No Nigerian should be made to feel like a stranger in his or her own country.

“Whether rich or poor, leader or follower, from the North or the South, from a majority or minority ethnic nationality, every citizen must have a genuine sense of belonging.
“To us, no Nigerian is better than another Nigerian,” he said.