…Demands BSc Or HND As Minimum Qualification For Elective Offices
Daud Olatunji
Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has urged the Federal Government to impose a lifetime ban on leaders convicted of corruption or abuse of power, including any complicit family members and associates.
Amosun described corruption as “the greatest betrayal of leadership,” stressing that those who abuse public trust have no moral or ethical justification to return to governance.
The former governor made the call in Ibadan, Oyo State, while delivering a lecture at the 2nd Lam Adesina Annual Lecture Series, themed “Sustaining a Legacy of Effective Leadership in Nigeria.” The event was held in honour of the late former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina.
Amosun lamented Nigeria’s widening leadership gap, attributing the country’s recurring problems of insecurity, unemployment, and poverty to poor governance and weak institutions.
“Since independence, our country has fluctuated between hope and setbacks, largely due to the absence of sustained, effective leadership,” he said.
The former governor also proposed a constitutional amendment to make a Bachelor’s degree or Higher National Diploma (BSc/HND) the minimum qualification for elective public offices, including the presidency and governorship positions.
“Public office should not be a refuge for the unprepared. It should be a platform for competent, visionary, and accountable individuals,” Amosun stated.
He called for the reintroduction of civic education and history into the school curriculum to nurture informed citizens who understand their role in sustaining democracy. According to him, an enlightened and active populace is essential for accountability and good governance.
“Democracy thrives not only on good leaders but on informed and active citizens. Where citizens are passive, uninformed, or indifferent, leadership easily degenerates into despondency, abuse of power, and lack of accountability,” he said.
Amosun further urged Nigerians to emulate Lam Adesina’s values of honesty, integrity, and service to humanity, describing him as a model of principled and selfless leadership.
“The journey to effective leadership begins with one step — the decision to do right, however small the opportunity,” he noted.
“Let us sustain Lam Adesina’s legacy not only by remembering his name but by continuing his work — building an educated, just, and responsible society.”
Dignitaries present included the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Bashiru; a representative of President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Sunday Dare; and former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
They all praised the late Adesina’s enduring legacy of integrity and purposeful leadership.
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