Two prominent public affairs advocates have raised the alarm over what they described as a dangerous trend of politicising governance, warning that such actions risk destabilising key national institutions and undermining Nigeria’s economic recovery.
At a high-profile press conference themed “Separating Politics from Governance”, held Saturday at Barcelona Hotel in Abuja, Mr. Bonaventure Phillips Melah, CEO of First Green White Resources, and Mr. Yashim Luka, Director of Publicity at the Strategic Communication Centre for Defence and Security, jointly urged political elites to halt the campaign of media toxicity and allow room for reforms to thrive.
The event, convened to address the growing overlap of politicking and governance, drew attention to coordinated efforts by vested interests to discredit the Bola Tinubu administration, particularly targeting the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
“We’re not here to act as government spokespersons,” Melah stated, “but the facts are clear. From food prices to infrastructure to student loans, real progress is being made—yet some are bent on burning it all down with politically motivated attacks.”
Melah cited specific achievements, including the drop in the price of rice from N110,000 to about N63,000–N67,000 per 50kg bag, stabilisation of petrol prices to between N840 and N900 per litre, and the disbursement of ₦73.2 billion in student loans to nearly 400,000 students across Nigeria.
However, he decried what he called an “unpatriotic crusade” against reforms and institutions, singling out the attacks on NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari. The CEO, who just marked 100 days in office, has come under fire despite not awarding any major contracts or oil block leases since assuming office.
“These aren’t mere criticisms; they are targeted attempts to wreck confidence in the oil sector, which remains the lifeblood of our economy. That’s not politics—that’s economic sabotage,” Melah warned.
Backing him, Mr. Luka pointed to the broader trend of political overreach, especially the hijacking of the national discourse by pessimistic narratives.
“We’ve seen politicians dominate the airwaves, not with solutions, but with apocalyptic predictions. For someone who has served this country at high levels to declare Nigeria a failed state just to score political points is both irresponsible and dangerous,” Luka said.
He described the early positioning for the 2027 elections as a “major distraction,” adding that institutions like NNPCL must be shielded from political warfare.
“The oil sector is too critical to be dragged into political mudslinging. Any threat to it is a threat to national security,” Luka added.
Both speakers emphasised the difference between constructive opposition and sabotage. While welcoming healthy criticism, they urged political actors to resist the temptation to exploit the reform process for personal or partisan gain.
“There’s a time for politics, and there’s a time for nation-building,” Melah declared. “The idea of attacking strategic institutions just to get at the President ahead of 2027 is reckless and hurts the average Nigerian more than anyone else.”
The conference concluded with a strong call for political maturity, media responsibility, and a united focus on stabilising Nigeria’s economy and governance structures.
