Former Presidential Aspirant Sam Ohuabunwa Proposes National Reflection and Restructuring to Dismantle Systemic Money Politics

Sam Ohuabunwa discusses the impact of money in politics, the need for a national constituent assembly, and economic deregulation as a path for Nigeria's future.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Nation

The Distortion of Purpose in Nigerian Governance

According to Sam Ohuabunwa, the primary challenge facing the Nigerian political landscape is a fundamental misalignment between the theoretical purpose of politics and its practical execution. While the discipline is intended to facilitate the improvement of citizen welfare, many participants prioritize narrow personal gains over the collective good. Ohuabunwa notes that this departure from service-oriented leadership has created a systemic environment where truthfulness is frequently sacrificed for political expediency, undermining the very values leaders publicly profess to uphold.

The Decisive Influence of Financial Hegemony

The role of capital remains the most significant barrier to equitable political participation, as financial capacity often dictates success regardless of a candidate's merit. Ohuabunwa highlights that party primaries typically favor the highest bidder, a trend that reinforces the monetization cycle and alienates competent technocrats from the process. Although the 2023 elections showed flashes of resistance through movement-based candidacies, the former aspirant argues that the prevailing system still enables and encourages vote-buying as a standard operational procedure.

A Blueprint for National Rebirth and Dialogue

To transition from a collection of multiethnic nationalities toward a cohesive sense of nationhood, Ohuabunwa suggests a period of intense national reflection followed by inclusive governance. According to the pharmacist and executive, this process must include a constituent assembly representing Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups to openly negotiate the terms of their union. He contends that the narrative of Nigeria's unity being non-negotiable should not stifle honest dialogue about the constitution and the specific arrangements under which different groups choose to coexist.